The final plans are coming together and Chittenango is getting ready to be transformed into the Emerald City for the 30th annual Oz-Stravaganza May 30-June 1st. The annual event, held just 25 minutes from downtown Syracuse, celebrates the life of Chittenango native and author of the Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum.
The event attracts visitors from around the globe as they return to see four of the original munchkins from the 1939 movie and to celebrate everything OZ. The highlight of the festival remains the parade which will kick off at 3pm on May 31st. Slip on your ruby slippers, oil up the tin man and march along the route with eight bands, Ozzy floats, Munchkins, animals, "Oz" characters and more. Baum's great grandson Bob Baum and his wife Clare will be grand marshals.
Of course leaving the Emerald City five times during the festival will be hot-air balloons from Airborne Adventures in Munnsville. Reservations are necessary for hot air balloon lift offs and can be made by calling 315 495 6544. Other hot-air themed activities including balloon walks will take place all weekend long.
Four Munchkins from the "Wizard of Oz" will attend and be available for autographs, including Margaret Pellegrini, Clarence Swensen, Karl Slover, and Jerry Maren. Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland's movie stand-in will attend for the first time and she will be selling her book "Hollywood's Babe-Dancing Through Oz". Oz historian and author John Fricke will be returning by popular demand to emcee the weekend.
There will be plenty of parking available and a free shuttle will run continuously throughout the downtown area from 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday.
New this year is three exciting events. There will be two silent auctions one from 2pm-5pm Saturday and the other from 11:30am-2:30pm Sunday offering Oz, celebrity and sports memorabilia, signed photos and books, Chittenango Pottery, gift certificates, Syracuse Symphony tickets and so much more. The second new event is the "Emerald City Idol: singing competition on Sunday at noon, to enter www.emeraldcityidol.com.
The third new event will be a grand finale on Sunday at 3pm join us as we say goodbye and pay tribute to our special guests of Oz.
Amusement rides will run from 5pm-11pm Friday, 10am-11pm Saturday and noon-5pm Sunday. The weekend includes a craft fair, souvenirs, entertainment, "The Wild" which is a petting zoo, children’s "safety" and "hands on" activities, a wide variety of food, and more. For a complete schedule of activities visit www.chittenango.org.
Why not make it a complete weekend away and spend the night in Madison County. Great rooms with great rates are still available at places like Graziano’s World Famous Inn and Greyrock Farm B&B. For more information on where to stay, what to do and where to eat visit www.madisontourism.com or call 800-684-7320 for a free travel planner.
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