BEMIDJI — Unicon 21, the world unicycling championships and convention, will kick off with opening ceremonies, a parade and a world-record attempt starting at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, at the Sanford Center.
"For the first time in 22 years, Unicon, the International Unicycling Federation World Championship and Convention, is back in the United States," a release said. "Happening in Bemidji, Minnesota, over 1,200 unicyclists from across the globe will be coming to compete across six different disciplines for world titles and records."
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As part of the opening ceremonies, Jamey Mossengren of Minnesota, widely known as The Unicycling Unicorn, will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the tallest "rideable" unicycle on a 44-foot high unicycle. The current record is 31 feet 10 inches.
"(Mossengren) will attempt to complete a full 20-foot diameter circle to illustrate control of the towering unicycle," the release said. "The unicycle, a feat of engineering and design, is being hand-constructed by Tom Miller of The Unicycle Factory in Kokomo, Indiana."
Mossengren has been unicycling for 35 years and has been a professional entertainer for 18 years. He will be performing his comedy, juggling circus show before the attempt.
This event also marks the finale of a feature-length documentary about The Unicycling Unicorn, directed by Robert Bartolome and produced by Rab Media and Odd Creative Direction, LLC.
The documentary, which has been in production for two years, will showcase Mossengren’s unique personal journey across the globe, with plans to debut on the 2025 international film festival circuit.
Unicon's opening ceremonies are free and open to the public. The event will start at 3:30 p.m. inside the Sanford Center, followed by a 5 p.m. parade that will travel from the Sanford Center to Paul Bunyan Park.
Several of Unicon's events throughout the two weeks of the convention will be open to the public with the purchase of a ticket. The following events require tickets for public admission:
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- 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17: Individual freestyle in the main gym at Bemidji High ÍáÍáÂþ».
- 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 18: Group freestyle finals in the gym at Bemidji State University.
- 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 20: Flatland finals at the Sanford Center.
- 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20: Pair freestyle finals in the main gym at Bemidji High ÍáÍáÂþ».
- 7 p.m. on Monday, July 22: Basketball finals in the gym at Bemidji State University.
- 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24: Trials finals at the Sanford Center.
- 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25: Hockey finals in the main gym at Bemidji High ÍáÍáÂþ».
- 1 p.m. on Friday, July 26: Street finals at the Sanford Center.
Tickets cost $15 each and are available online through Ticketmaster or on-site using cash or credit card. To purchase tickets in advance, visit
Here's a look at the upcoming schedule of Unicon events that are free to watch:
- 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14: Opening ceremonies at the Sanford Center.
- 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14: Parade from the Sanford Center to Paul Bunyan Park.
- 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16: 10K race starting at the Sanford Center and traveling to Lake Bemidji State Park.
- 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16: Junior individual freestyle at Bemidji High ÍáÍáÂþ».
- 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23: Flaming puck hockey outside Bemidji City Hall.
- 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24: Cyclocross at Nymore Park.
- 8 a.m. on Friday, July 26: Criterium at the Sanford Center.
To see the full schedule, visit