IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2007
PRESS RELEASE: EMERALD CITY GALA
CONTACT/TICKET INFORMATION: Lakeshore Festival & Events, Inc.
Phone: (219) 983-1691 E-Mail: info@wizardofozfestival.org
Lion’s and Dorothy’s, and Glinda’s OH MY, will greet you at this year’s Emerald City Gala. Join guests for a “Wickedly Wonderful Evening” at the grand opening ceremony of the 26th Annual Indiana Wizard of OZ Festival on Friday – September 14, 2007, at the main hall of the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso Indiana.
Lakeshore Festival and Events Corporation and this year’s gala chairman, invite you to re-live the Magic of OZ, by participating in a costume contest as part of the evening’s festivities. Dress up as your favorite character from the 1939 MGM movie the Wizard of OZ, or as one of L. Frank Baum’s treasured characters from his classic book series. Participants will be vying for CASH PRIZES for best costume, from $300 for first place, to 2nd $150, 3rd $75, 4th $50 and honorable mention at $25. An official panel of Oz enthusiasts from around the country will be chosen as judges for this fun event.
The evening will begin with the traditional Yellow Brick Road Grand March of our Munchkins and Celebrity Guests. A lavish Rolled Pork Loin and Chicken Kiev dinner and dessert buffet will follow from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; while guests are entertained by a string quartet of accomplished musicians from the Chesterton High School Music Department, playing a variety of your traditional favorites.
The evening’s entertainment will continue with introductions and interviews of our beloved Munchkins and celebrities emceed by famed Judy Garland Historian John Fricke. John will then be joined by vocalists from our awarded winning Chesterton High School Show Choir, as they treat our audience to a melody of your show tune favorites, and of course a few classics from the Wizard of OZ.
The Yellow Brick Road will then be filled with those guests wishing to participate in the Grand March of our Costume Contest Participants. The Magic of Oz will come alive as judges and guests alike watch our contestants showcase their creativity as they portray their favorite OZ character. And if that’s not enough; joining our OZ Family this year is award winning graphic designer, illustrator and published children’s book author, John Hensen. After a 17 year hiatus from the festival, John is excited to be invited back to spread the word about the importance of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids Organization. He will be joining our Wickedly Fun evening, showcasing his “Broadway Bears”; scaled ursine miniatures of their stage counterparts in the Broadway hit play “Wicked”, as well as replicas of the famous Ruby Slippers.
Tickets for the evening are $35 per person with advanced tickets required. You may purchase your tickets by printing a ticket order form online or by calling the festival office at (219) 983-1691. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. central standard time. Don’t miss out on a truly magical night. Semi formal attire is recommended.
