Chesterton

Wizard of Oz Festival

(Official Event Guides available at the Festival Information & Souvenir Booth, local retailers and Porter County Visitors and Recreation Center.)

All weekend

Booths: The Festival features over 300 of the art, crafts and food vendors. Saturday, Sept. 17: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday September 18: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parents Note: For lost Munchkins (children) or emergency concerns please go to the Police Command Center in the parking lot at 303 Broadway

First Aid Booth: Located behind the Information & Souvenir Booth (Third Street & Broadway)

Celebrities: The Festival is honored to feature an array of Celebrities throughout the weekend. The 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 John Fricke. John Fricke is widely acknowledged as the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz historian, plus Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland’s stand-in, as well as renowned Judy Garland collector Michael Siewert. Both Roger Baum and Caren Marsh-Doll will have their books available for sale during the Festival weekend. Official Festival artist Tim Wolak is featured at the Yellow Brick Road all weekend.

Entertainment: Rolling Sounds Music with DJ Ozzie Moody will play music from the bandstand in Thomas Centennial Park. Also featured will be a Marionette Show sponsored by First National Bank. This will be the ninth year Stevens Puppet Company professional puppeteers perform a “Wizard of Oz” play with their unique marionettes, three times a day on Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18. Organizers have added a “Wizard of Oz” play with local youth on both Saturday and Sunday. Don’t forget to watch for Ken’s Balloons.

Anthony Whitaker, a solo musician from Chicago, will perform his “Wizard of Oz Musical Tribute” for Oz enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. This tribute is the result of his extensive long-term research of popular music inspired by the Land of Oz. It contains well-known songs by Elton John, America and Kenny Chesney as well as lesser-known songs by Lori McKenna, Tracy Chapman, Kris Delmhorst and more.

Look-A-Like Contests: The Festival features retail sponsored children’s costume contests Saturday and Sunday in Thomas Centennial Park on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. Contestants can compete as Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch or Glinda. For the first time, Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland’s movie stand-in, will host the ever-popular Dorothy Look-A-Like contest. John Fricke will also emcee the Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. Dorothy Look-A-Likes contests. The festival also has Dorothy Calling and Witch’s Cackling contests. The Calling and Cackling contests include both children and adults.

Munchkin Autograph Parties: Two autograph sessions will be offered, Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 from 1 – 3 p.m. All Munchkins will be in attendance. For the first time these autograph sessions will be held in a tent in Thomas Centennial Park, so the Munchkins are more easily accessible to their many fans. Thanks to Grand Rental Station is providing our special Big Top Tent! Total of 200 tickets sold daily.

Munchkinland Market Days: The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Museum hosts this event, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16 - Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. through the day. A highlight for attendees is meeting festival artist Tim Wolak where they may have their photo taken in his “Picture Yourself in Oz” display, an actual life sized Munchkinland. Tim’s own artwork may be purchased at the Judy Oz Exchange. Purchase the official Festival poster at the Information/Souvenir booth featuring Tim’s rendition of Dorothy and the Scarecrow Meeting the Tin Man. Try to find the seven “hidden Wolak” signatures in the picture, in addition to the number seven.

Meinhardt Raabe, Munchkin Coroner will be signing copies of his book Memories of a Munchkin, at the gift shop, where the book may be purchased as well. The Festival is pleased to have Raabe return, after an absence of several years. Raabe, who turns 90 in Sept., is the oldest living Munchkin. Come to the Yellow Brick Road to find John Fricke, Emmy award winning entertainer. His book Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art & Anecdote may be purchased in the shop as well. Don’t forget to get one of John’s special personalized inscriptions. (Saturday & Sunday 2-4).

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Stamp Cachet:

The Festival boasts a special commemorative post-mark exclusive to each Festival. The cancellation can be obtained at the temporary postal station set up on Third Street & Broadway. Buy your special commemorative envelopes at the Information/Souvenir Booth.

Saturday, September 17

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Run to Oz:

Sponsored by Chesterton/ Duneland Kiwanis Club. Registration is 7 to 7:50 a.m. Munchkin Fun Race begins at 8 a.m. and 5K Race/Walk at 8:15 a.m. Munchkin Fun Race Fee: Prior to Sept. 3: $12 and $15 after. The 5K Race/Walk Fee: Prior to Sept. 3: $15 and $18 after. Note: $1 discount for CRS gold cup members. For more information, call 926-3431 (day) or 926-5115 (evening) Location: Coffee Creek Center Pavilion (1050 N East of St. Road 4; Chesterton).

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Arts, Crafts & Food Booths & Stamp Cachet: Featuring over 300 of the art, crafts and food vendors.

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10 a.m. - Oz Fantasy Parade. Don’t forget, Attendees are urged to dress in costume to join in the fun and march at the end of the parade.

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10 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Rolling Sounds Music: Ozzie Moody in the Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. - “The Wizard of Oz” Marionette Show: Stevens Puppet Company in NE corner of Thomas Centennial Park $.25, thirty-minute performance

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. “The Wizard of Oz” Play: Presented by Chesterton High School Show Choir members and Friends in Oz Yahoo members at Thomas Centennial Park Entertainment Tent.

11:30 a.m. - Toto Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

12 p.m. - Lion Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

12:30 p.m. -Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 0-3): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

12:30 p.m. - Scarecrow Look-A-Like Contest: At Chesterton Feed & Garden Center, 400 Locust St., Chesterton

12:30 p.m. - Children’s Lunch With the Costumed Characters: (Session 1) Advance ticket purchase required. Meals/Tickets are for children only, ages 2-10. Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 Indiana Ave., Chesterton. Lunch and photo opportunity (bring your camera.) Due to limited seating and the safety of all, no more than two adults will be allowed to accompany the children to these events.

1 – 3 p.m. - Munchkin Celebrity Autograph Sessions: Under the big top in the northwest side of Thomas Centennial Park. Munchkins reserve the right not to sign items for commercial dealers. Tickets - Adults $3; Children (10 & under) Free. Tickets on sale in front of the tent half hour prior to each session. Limit of 1 autographed personal item per person. Cost of all autographs is $5. Total of 200 tickets sold daily.

1 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 4-6): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

1:45 p.m. - Children’s Lunch With the Costumed Characters: (Session 2) Advance ticket purchase required. Meals/Tickets are for children only, ages 2-10. Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 Indiana Ave., Chesterton. Lunch and photo opportunity (bring your camera.) Due to limited seating and the safety of all, no more than 2 adults will be allowed to accompany the children to these events.

1:45 p.m. - Wicked Witch Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

2:15 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 7-9): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

2:30 p.m. - Parade Awards: announced from Thomas Centennial Park bandstand

3 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 10-12): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

3 – 4:30 p.m. - Official Costumed Characters: Thomas Centennial Park

3:30 p.m. - Special Wizard of Oz Musical Tribute by Anthony Whitaker: Thomas Centennial Park Entertainment Tent

3:30 p.m. - Dorothy Calling Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

4 p.m. - Glinda Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

4:30 p.m. - Tin Man Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

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The 49’er Drive-In Presents The 1939 Movie Classic, “The Wizard of Oz”

The movie will start at dusk, approx. 7:30 p.m. Adults $6 Children 11 & under free, 675 N. Calumet. From Chesterton, take Hwy 49 south to Rt. 6 exit (Westville/Portage) Turn left (east) at light, at first stop light turn right onto North Calumet

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The Judy Oz Exchange Auction & Hat Contest, 8 p.m., Chesterton High School, 2125 S. 11th, Chesterton, Adults - $4; Children (12–under) - $2, Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Entrance #31 – watch for signs. Attended by celebrity guests and Munchkins. Swap meet and auction of items donated by Oz celebrities. Autographs and photos, official Oz Festival souvenirs available for purchase. Original Judy Garland costumes will be on display through the generosity of Curator Michael Siewert.

A highlight of the auction this year will be the sale of a portion of Jean Nelson’s personal Oz collection. Jean is the founder of the Chesterton Wizard of Oz festival and has had contact with many celebrities during the past 24 years, some of whom include the Munchkins, Margaret Hamilton and Ray Bolger.

For the past several years, Michael Siewert, renowned “Garlandia” collector has displayed pieces of Judy Garland’s wardrobe from his “The Dressing of a Legend” collection. John Fricke award winning author and producer will attend and is available for autographs. Michael Roche, award-winning sculptor, can be found here as well, selling his work. Roger Baum’s books and Caren Marsh-Doll’s book Dancing Through Oz will also be available for purchase at this event. Festival artist Tim Wolak’s own artwork may be purchased here as well.

This event is attended by Munchkins and Celebrities, and is another opportunity for fans to obtain personalized autographs for their own Oz collection.

Debuting this year is a hat contest. This is something to look forward to, as many Festival attendees have gotten in the habit of wearing increasingly creative, extravagant and fascinating Oz themed chapeaus during the years. This will give them an opportunity to display and be recognized for their work.

Sunday, September 18

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Oz Festival Charity Bike Ride for Asthma: Sponsored by Porter Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Porter Memorial Respiratory Department to benefit the American Lung Association. A 20, 40 or 60 mile charity bike ride down scenic county roads and along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. This ride will benefit children with asthma. Your kind donation will send them to Camp Crosley. Registration from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Coffee Creek Pavilion. Fee of $25 includes T-shirt or free if you get $50 in donations. T-shirt is not guaranteed for on site registration.

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Munchkinland Market Days:

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Oz Fantasy Museum, 109 E. Yellow Brick Road, two miles south of Chesterton on Hwy 49

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Breakfast with the Munchkins at Chesterton High School; 2125 S. 11th St., Chesterton ; Entrance #31; Advanced Tickets required. Doors open 9 a.m.

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Monkey Drop: Opportunity Enterprises www.oppent.org hosts this event at Chesterton High School’s football field, at 10:45 a.m. Attendees watch helicopters dropping barrels of “Flying Monkeys” onto the field. The three monkeys, which fly the closest to the target, earn their raffle ticket owners a prize. Raffle tickets on sale in booth 198 in the festival area on Saturday.

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10 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Arts, Crafts & Food Booths & Stamp Cachet: Featuring over 300 art, crafts and food vendors.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.- Rolling Sounds Music: Ozzie Moody in the Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. - Story Time With Roger S. Baum: Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 Indiana Ave., Chesterton

11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. -“The Wizard of Oz” Marionette Show: Stevens Puppet Company in NE corner of Thomas Centennial Park $.25, thirty-minute performance.

11:30 a.m. -Scarecrow Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand

Noon -Lion Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

12:30 p.m. -Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 0-3): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

1 – 3 p.m., - Munchkin Celebrity Autograph Sessions: Under the big top in the northwest side of Thomas Centennial Park. Munchkins reserve the right not to sign items for commercial dealers. Tickets - Adults $3; Children (10 & under) Free. Tickets on sale in front of the tent 1¦2 hour prior to each session. Limit of 1 autographed personal item per person. Cost of all autographs is $5. Total of 200 tickets sold daily.

1 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 4-6): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

1 p.m. - Teddy Bear Tea Party, Ventriloquist Puppet Show & Contest: Sponsored by Kenwal Steel. This is a ventriloquist puppet show that features Princess Ozma, Sassy Ann, and Teddy of Oz. All welcome. Children take front rows. Teddy Bear Tea Party & Contest will follow show. Prizes for children’s Teddy Bears dressed in the best homemade Oz costumes. Cookies and punch served. At the Westchester Public Library Service Center. 100 Indiana Ave., Chesterton. $.50 donation goes to local charity.

1:30 p.m. - Wicked Witch Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

1:30 – 3 p.m. - Official Costumed Characters: Thomas Centennial Park.

2 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 7-9): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

2:30 p.m. - Tin Man Look-A-Like Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

2:30 – 3:15 p.m. - “The Wizard of Oz” Play: Presented by Chesterton High School Show Choir members and Friends in Oz Yahoo members at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 Indiana Ave., Chesterton.

2:45 p.m. - Dorothy Look-A-Like Contest (ages 10-12): Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

3:15 p.m. - Dorothy Calling Contest: Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

3:30 p.m. - Special Wizard of Oz Musical Tribute by Anthony Whitaker: Thomas Centennial Park Entertainment Tent.

3:30 p.m. - Wicked Witch Cackling Contest: Emceed by the Wicked Witch of the West. Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

4 p.m. - Window Decorating Contest and Booth Award Winners: Announced at Thomas Centennial Park bandstand

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4:45 p.m. - Grand Finale: Say goodbye to the Munchkins, Oz Celebrities and Oz Characters at Thomas Centennial Park bandstand.

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Note: All times in Central Daylight Time

Posted 9/16/2005