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TOM’S SOAPBOX
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN…GO OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD
by Tom Lounges / Publisher & Editor
Sure it has been a full ten years now since Sharon Osbourne masterminded the traveling heavy metal circus known as “OzzFest.”
But Northwest Indiana’s Jean Nelson beat her to the punch, by founding and presenting the first ever “OZ Fest” (one “z” please) back in 1981.
Nelson was at that time the owner/operator of the Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Oz Fantasy Museum on Route 49. Today, her little festival is an international destination for fans worldwide of Dorothy and her little dog too!
It is that time of year once again. “The 24th Annual Wizard Of Oz Festival” will return to Chesterton, Indiana on the weekend of September 16-18.
One would be hard pressed to find a living American, who does not have some sort of endearing childhood memories surrounding the 1939 MGM classic film, “The Wizard Of Oz.”
Be it a deathly fear of witches, thanks to the remarkable portrayal Margaret Hamilton gave of the Wicked Witch of the West; a fondness for puppy dogs triggered by that adorable little yapping fuzz ball Toto; a fascination with fantasy inspired by the magnificent sets used in the making of the film; a love of Judy Garland who rose to fame as Dorothy; or an enduring love of movie musicals, since it was one of the grandest ever made.
Those few not directly affected by the film, have certainly been touched in some way by the various pop culture creations that resulted directly from it.
For instance...
Pop music star Elton John wrote his epic 1970s two album set, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, because of his own childhood love of the L. Frank Baum classic tale.
Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra used the fabled Ruby Red Slippers on the cover of their 1974 album, Eldorado.
Acoustic rockers America wrote a touching ode to a certain rusty, trusty character and his Oz adventure in their 1974 hit, “Tin Man.”
And who could forget how Diana Ross and Michael Jackson bolstered their then sagging careers by re-introducing Baum’s tale in a fresh, urban manner with the funky remake, “The Wiz,” which was both a hit stage play and hit film. That helped them both to “ease on down the road” to be sure!
Given it’s impact on generation after generation, it’s no surprise that the story of Dorothy and her Ruby Red Slippers continues to fascinate, entertain and yes...inspire!
Joining the company of Elton John and others who have been inspired to create fresh works by their love of “...the merry ol’ land of Oz,” is author John Fricke, who will be on hand at the nationally renown festival this month, to meet fellow Oz buffs and do book signings.
A previous celebrity guest at the regional festival, Fricke is author of the books –– “50th Anniversary of The Wizard Of Oz,” “Judy Garland: World’s Greatest Entertainer” and “100 Years Of Oz.”
As always, there are many things to see, do and experience during the course of the festival’s three day run.
Some highlights include: the“Oz Fantasy Picnic” in downtown Chesterton; the “Lunch With The Official OZ Costumed Characters” (super popular with children); the many character look-a-like contests; and the extremely popular,“Munchkin Celebrity Autograph Sessions”.
The latter gives fans a chance to actually meet and chat with the surviving “little people” who actually appeared on screen in the landmark film.
The numbers of surviving Munchkins dwindles down each year, so true fans are wise to grab this opportunity to hear their stories about what it was like to be a part of making that legendary film.
Parents! If you have never shared the original “Wizard Of Oz” film with your children, or if you just want to rekindle those childhood memories of your own, do not miss the opportunity to see the picture on the giant screen at Chesterton’s 49’er Drive In Theatre (675 N. Calumet Ave.)
Itself a piece of history, the restored 49’er Theater annually screens the original film at 7:30 pm on the opening night of the festival, which would be September 16. Cost is only $6, with all children11 and under admitted for free.
For more information and a complete schedule of the three days worth of events taking place at this year’s Oz Fest, log on at their official web site: www.wizardofozfestival.org
Tom Lounges spins Region Rock on his Night Rock radio Show every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on X-ROCK 103.9
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For
three days and nights each year, an array of colorful Munchkins and
costumed revelers joyously converge on this Hoosier farm community to
celebrate the history and impact of one of the world’s most beloved
children’s stories.