September 15-17, 2006
Preliminary Event Guide
(Please consult with Official Event Guide as times and events may have changed)
Official Event Guides available at the Festival, Local Retailers and Porter County Visitors and Recreation Center
NEW FESTIVAL LOCATION
PORTER COUNTY EXPO CENTER
215 E Division Road, Valparaiso, IN
(Corner of Rte 49 and Division Road)
Sponsored by: Lakeshore Festival & Events
Office: 3 East US Hwy 6, Suite 5
Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: 219/983-1691; Fax: 219/926-2532
www.wizardofozfestival.org
Admission $2 Adults, $1 Children – FREE PARKING
History of the Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival
The Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! 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. Lakeshore Festival and Events is proud to be the caretaker of Jean’s dream. The Festival continues 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.
We invite you to follow the Yellow Brick Road to Northwest Indiana and experience Jean’s dream.
Parents note: For Lost Munchkins (children) or emergency concerns please go to the Information/First Aid Booth.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2006
INDIANA WIZARD OF OZ FESTIVAL
Re-live the fantasy at The Land of OZ
(formerly the Porter County Expo Center)
Booths: Some of the finest arts, crafts and food vendors from across the country. Many vendors will display their OZ themed items. Booths open Saturday and Sunday.
Celebrities: Past Festivals have had the honor of featuring an array of Celebrities throughout the weekend. Our Hall of Fame includes actual Munchkins from the 1939 movie: Jerry Maren (Lollipop Kid) and his wife Elizabeth, Margaret Pellegrini (Flowerpot Lady), Karl Slover (1st Trumpeter), Donna Stewart-Hardway (Child Villager), Clarence Swensen (Soldier), and his wife Myrna. As well as Munchkins by marriage Elizabeth Cottonaro (Tommy Cottonaro/Villager), and Mary Ellen St. Aubin (Parnell St. Aubin/Soldier). Award winning OZ authors Roger S. Baum (great-grandson of L. Frank Baum) and Judy Garland Historian, John Fricke. John Fricke, a veteran celebrity to our festival, is widely acknowledged as the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of OZ historian/author. Mr. Fricke received a 2004 Emmy Award as co-producer of the 2-hour PBS-TV special “American Master’s program, Judy Garland: By Myself”. Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland’s stand in will also join the weekend festivities. The Festival is also a showcase for renowned Judy Garland costume curator Michael Siewert. Michael will bring his ever-growing collection of Judy Garland’s gowns (including one of his newest acquisitions, the dress Judy Garland wore in the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Michael didn’t know that that we had already arranged for Academy Award winner, Miss Margaret O’Brien, to be our very special guest at this year’s festival. Miss Margaret O’Brien starred with Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Visit with Miss O’Brien at the Emerald City Gala or at Celebrity Court throughout the weekend. Please note that Roger Baum, John Fricke and Caren Marsh-Doll will have their books for sale during the Festival.
Entertainment: An array of entertainment throughout the weekend for the whole family (music, plays and games & rides).
Look-A-Like Contests: Calling all adults and children, is your OZ costume collecting dust in the closet? Dust it off and enter one of the following contests: Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch or Glinda. In the past, Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland’s stand in for the movie, has judged the ever-popular Dorothy Look-A-Like contest. We also have Dorothy Calling and Witch’s Cackling contests on Sunday afternoon.
Munchkin Autograph Parties: Autograph sessions will be offered, one Saturday, September 16th and one Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in Main Hall – East side. All Munchkins are in attendance.
Munchkinland Market Days: The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Museum hosts this event, Friday through Sunday, September 15 - September 17, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Commerative Postal Stamp: For the first time in Festival history, we will offer a special 25th Anniversary stamp to be sold at the Festival only. Visit the Information booth as a limited number of stamps will be produced.
FRIDAY September 15, 2006
Friday Afternoon Autograph Parties: Munchkin, Celebrity & Special Guest autograph sessions held in businesses throughout Porter County from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
OZapalooza/Fun Fair: Held at Zao Island 1050 Horse Prairie Ave, Valparaiso 219/462-1194
On this magical night, children of all ages will fill the air with Glinda’s magical bubbles, step into the Tin Man’s shoes, launch Winged Monkeys, melt the Wicked Witch, tidy up at the Wash & Brush Up Shoppe, pick the Witch’s poppies, combat crows for the Scarecrow, join the Lion’s Courage Competition, and create OZ character puppets. This year’s OZapalooza, sponsored by Zao Island will also introduce new characters from the L. Frank Baum series. Participants will be able to crown Princess Ozma, work in Tik-Tok’s Tube Factory, and fashion a Patchwork Girl— blindfolded. Admission includes a round of miniature golf and a picnic supper.
For an additional fee, Zao Island offers many other activities: Go Carts, Hardball and Softball Batting Cages, Krazy Bumber Kars, live alligators, a Wild Wave Slide, and numerous skill and redemption games.
Emerald City Gala: Step into the Magical Land of OZ and meet the original Munchkins for the 1939 MGM classic movie at our preeminent adult semi-formal event, sponsored by Camp-Land RV, Burns Harbor. The Yellow Brick Road Grand March and introduction of our Hollywood Stars will be emceed by Emmy Award winner and Judy Garland Historian, John Fricke. Guests will be treated to a lavish Prime Rib and Chicken Marsala buffet dinner. The evening’s entertainment will continue with an interview of our very special guest star, Academy Award winner, Miss Margaret O’Brien (starred with Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944)). The evening’s festivities will conclude with dancing to the sounds of “Monterrey”. Don’t miss the “surprise” of the evening.
SATURDAY September 16, 2006
OZ Fantasy Parade: A parade like you have never seen before! This unique event will sure to become a crowd favorite! Come one, come all, come early the parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. on festival grounds.
Lunch with the Costumed Characters: This popular event, sponsored by Culvers of Valparaiso will be held in the main hall at 12:00. For the first time we are pleased to offer the option for parents to join their children for lunch. Children will also have the opportunity to get photographs with the official OZ Festival Characters: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch, Wizard, Glinda and a Flying Monkey and new for the first time at the Festival, The Apple Tree (sure to become a crowd favorite).
Judy OZ / Exchange: Judy & OZ Memorabilia and Auction, Oh My! This will be held Saturday evening and is sponsored by O’Dell & Schimmel, LLC, Certified Public Accountants, offices in Merrillville, IN & Chicago, IL. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and is held in the main hall. The Judy/ OZ Exchange is an event targeted towards the serious OZ collectors. If you have been searching for an elusive hard to find piece of OZ memorabilia, this is an excellent place to start your quest. Festival vendors display both their OZ and Judy Garland treasures for sale. Another popular portion of the exchange is the auction. Past one of a kind items auctioned have been personal Munchkin items, such as clothing. Do you have OZ collectibles but don’t know their value? Barry Patraw, OZ appraiser, can take a look at them during the evening. This event is attended by our Munchkins and Celebrities, and is another opportunity for fans to obtain personalized autographs for their own OZ collection.
If you missed the inaugural Hat Contest last year, don’t fret, we brought it back by popular demand. This event is one you surely don’t want to miss. Over the years, Festival attendees have gotten in the habit of wearing increasingly creative, extravagant and fascinating OZ themed chapeaus. This event will give everyone an opportunity to display their creations and be recognized.
SUNDAY September 17, 2006
Breakfast with the Munchkins: Our Breakfast with the Munchkins is one of the most popular events of the Festival. This year it is co-sponsored by Allegius Credit Union and Camp-Land RV. The event is attended by the Munchkins, our Celebrity guests along with the Official OZ Festival Characters.
Monkey Drop: Have you ever seen monkeys fly (other than in your favorite movie)? Well, this is a sight to be seen! Opportunity Enterprises, a non-profit organization which “promotes self-sufficiency and life choices for challenged individuals” invites everyone to the Grandstand at 10:45 a.m. Attendees will watch as a helicopter drops barrels of “Flying Monkeys” onto the field. Raffle tickets match numbers on the flying monkeys. The four monkeys which land closest to the target, earn their raffle ticket owners a prize. Tickets will be available throughout the weekend at their booth up to the time of the drop.
Story Time with Roger S. Baum: This event will allow children to relive a part of Wizard of OZ history. Just as L. Frank Baum told his stories to children over 100 years ago, they will hear Mr. Baum’s great-grandson Roger S. Baum tells his own stories about the land of OZ. L. Frank Baum published 14 OZ books. Roger S. Baum has followed in his great-grandfather’s footsteps and published more then ten OZ adventures of his own. Take a break and hear Roger’s tales in person and delight in the continuing magical journey through OZ. The story session begins at 10:30 a.m.
Teddy Bear Tea Party: Children, don’t leave home without your Teddy Bear dressed in their best home-made OZ costume! This event, sponsored by Build-A-Bear Workshop® will be held at 1:00pm at the Celebrity Comfort Center, hosted by Princess Ozma of OZ (a ventriloquist actress). The Teddy Bear Contest will follow Princess Ozma’s show.
Grand Finale: Many consider this their favorite part of the festival. Come together at 4:45 p.m. before you travel back over the rainbow to your home and say goodbye to the Munchkins, Celebrities and Costumed Characters.
