By DEE DUNHEIM

For the Wizard of Oz Festival

The Wizard of Oz needs a few good teenagers. Parents, whose children are home all summer, might suggest any one of countless opportunities for them to volunteer their time and talents with Lakeshore Festival & Events, Inc. for its 24th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton, which runs from Sept. 16-18.

Depending upon their scholastic abilities, artistic tendencies, or their need to just get out of the house and have some fun, kids can now choose from a variety of assignments - or come up with their own ideas for creative projects.

For a jump start into this year’s Wizard of Oz Festival, have them log onto the new web site created by Russ Harper at: www.wizardofozfestival.org

If your teenager is working on a journalism career, he or she can submit a story about the Wizard Of Oz to their local papers as pre-publicity for the weekend long festivities, or as a writing assignment for next semester.

Young artists can paint props and backdrops. Students can play publicist by e-mailing information and forwarding Oz sites to reporters and newspaper editors across the country. Aspiring photographers can take advantage of incredible photo opportunities - including celebrity shots - throughout the weekend.

And, since what goes up, must come down, a few strong teenage volunteers will be more than cordially invited to help clean up after the evening of Sept. 18.

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 ideas or questions, along with your name and number. Brenda, Dee or Laurie will return your call. Dial 983-1691.

Posted 8/17/2005