History of the 
           Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival
The Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival   celebratied its 27th Anniversary in 2008! Who would have thought that when Jean Nelson, former owner of the Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and OZ Fantasy Museum, started this festival in 1981 that it would have grown to become the world’s LARGEST Wizard of OZ Festival, from one day and 5 shops to hundreds of vendors, ten of thousands of visitors and an OZ fantasy packed weekend. It was always Jean’s dream to keep the fantasy of OZ alive for many generations to come. We were proud to be the caretaker of Jean’s dream. The Festival continued to thrive because of the family oriented values instilled by the 1939 MGM film classic “The Wizard of OZ”, an enduring literary classic written by L. Frank Baum, until it untimely demise  after the rain drenched 2008 Festival.   We thank all of our OZ friends who contributed their time and efforts to the past 27 festivals.

    This current website will be  slowly changed into an information about OZ site. It will include the history and pics of The Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival,eventually pictures of other Oz fests, a schedule of Oz happenings all over the country.  Tell us what you want to see.

Events: Our schedule is published elsewhere on this site, but these are some of the events you can expect to find: Breakfast with the Munchkins: Sunday morning. Celebrity Autograph Parties: Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Children’s Lunch with the Costumed Characters: Saturday afternoon. Costumed Characters: Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Craft and Food Booths: Saturday and Sunday.  Friday Evening Event: The Friday Night Gala "A Tribute To Judy Garland" for adult Oz fans. Grand Finale: Sunday afternoon. Judy/Oz Exchange & Auction: Saturday night. Look-A-Like Contests: Saturday and Sunday. Munchkinland Market Days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Plus lots more!

Copyright © 2008 LFE Festival & Events Corp. All rights reserved. 

Want to Come & Experience the Magic? We strongly suggest that you make your hotel reservations early, as we tend to fill up all the hotels in Porter County. This year our Munchkinland host hotels are the Country Inn & Suites, 2020 LaPorte Avenue , Valparaiso IN 46383 (219) 476-0000, the Holiday Inn Express, 1251 Silhavy Rd.,Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 464-9395,  Courtyard by Marriott; 2301 E Morthland Dr; Valparaiso, IN 46383; (219) 465-1700; (800) 321-2211 and the Fairfield by Marriott; 2101 E Morthland Dr; Valparaiso, IN 46383; (219) 465-6225; (800) 228-2800. Call them to stay with the Munchkins.  These hotels have housed our celebrities in the past. You never know who you may “bump into” on your way to the ice machine. Flying in via broom or bubble? Your closest airports are Midway and O’Hare in Chicago, IL. Want to ride from the airport in style? Contact American Limousine (219) 464-7572. They provide our celebrity airport transportation. If you forget your broom, why not Ride Like a Munchkin?