Laurie Franke-Polz, (top row left and clockwise), Brenda Maynard, Dee Spargur, Kyle Wise, Dan Larson, Kevin Harrison and Gary Harrison are already hard at work producing and directing the 24th annual Chesterton, Indiana Wizard of Oz Festival which runs from September 16 - 18. To sign up as a 2005 Junior Volunteer, call Lakeshore Festival & Events at 219-983-1691. Photo by Dee (DEEDUN) Dunheim
SCHOOL IS OUT -- THE WIZARD OF OZ IS IN
by Dee (DEEDUN) Dunheim
Walk the poppy-laced Yellow Brick Road. Junior Volunteers are now being recruited to help produce, direct and host the 24th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana which runs from september 16-18.
Getting in on the Oz action during the planning stages gives teenagers the opportunity to be creative. It also gives them the chance to be a little bit wacky - just like all the adult fans of Oz.
Young artists can paint props and backdrops and talk with professional Oz artists. Writers can meet with famous authors - including the Wizard of Oz author's great-grandson, Roger Baum.
Carpenters can help build booths and parade floats. And, this year, students are invited to help coordinate some of the special events which include Breakfast with the Munchkins; The Fun Fair and Munchkin autograph parties; Others can sell raffle tickets and help man booths. Still more teenagers can help organize the Salute to Judy Garland or the Judy/Oz Exchange and assist in the planning of Lunch with the Costumed Characters and the Oz Fantasy Parade.
What you do - and what you learn - as Junior Volunteers can positively impact on your education as well. If you are history buffs, use the Oz opportunity as a research assignment. They'll be plenty of Oz historians and Oz trivia experts around to talk with.
Photographers-in-training, can take advantage of incredible photo opportunities - including celebrity shots - throughout the weekend. To get a head-start on buying, selling and trading stuff, check out e-Bay for Oz memorabilia and collectibles.
If you're working on a journalism career, submit a pre-publicity Wizard of Oz story to a newspaper. Or, write up a report for a school assignment for next semester. You can even perform as a publicist-in-training by forwarding our media releases and Oz web-site to newspaper editors across the country.
For a jump start into this year's Festival, log onto Russ Harper's new website at WWW.wizardofozfestival.org. The site will help you decide what role you'd like to play this Summer in helping make the 24th annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, Indiana the best and most exciting yet.
Brenda Maynard is president of Lakeshore Festival and Events, Inc. Dee Spargur is Vice President and Booth Chairperson. Laurie Franke-Polz is Chairperson of the Junior Committee.
So, leave a message with your ideas or questions, along with your name and number. Brenda, Dee or Laurie will return your call. Dial 219-983-1691.
