We Must Be Over the Rainbow: 30th Wizard of Oz Festival
Organized by the Duneland Business Initiative Group, the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival is celebrating its 30th year in 2011. Bringing over 30,000 visitors to our community, this event is truely a must-attend!
Friday, September 16, 2 pm to 6 pm
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2 pm to 4 pm: Autograph Sessions
- Margaret Pelligrini- 4th Street Emporium, corner of 4th and Broadway
- Roger & Charlene Baum- Riley's Rail House Bed & Breakfast (123 4th Street)
- Caren Marsh-Doll- Riley's Rail House Bed & Breakfast
- Michael Siewert- Riley's Rail House Bed & Breakfast
- Karl Slover- Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce (220 Broadway)
- Myrna Swensen- Peggy Sue's Diner (117 S Calumet)
- Mary Ellen St. Aubin- Peggy Sue's Diner
- John Fricke- Thomas Centennial Park (Broadway & Calumet)
- Rick Ewigleben- Thomas Centennial Park
- Official Characters- Thomas Centennial Park- Great photo opportunities
- Margaret Pelligrini- 4th Street Emporium, corner of 4th and Broadway
- 2 pm to 6 pm: Souvenir tent open in the park
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2 pm to 6 pm: Party in the Park
- Come visit and meet other fans. Food from George's Gyros, Popolanos, Third Coast Spice Cafe, and Culver frozen custard will be available for purchase
- Come visit and meet other fans. Food from George's Gyros, Popolanos, Third Coast Spice Cafe, and Culver frozen custard will be available for purchase
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4:30 pm: Opening Ceremonies- Bandstand in Thomas Centennial Park
- Opening of the festival by the Wizard of Chesterton, Emerson Delaney. Hosted by John Fricke. Celebrity Introductions. Unveiling of Rick Ewigleben's artwork. Unveling of Judy Garland coloring book. Miss Indiana
- Opening of the festival by the Wizard of Chesterton, Emerson Delaney. Hosted by John Fricke. Celebrity Introductions. Unveiling of Rick Ewigleben's artwork. Unveling of Judy Garland coloring book. Miss Indiana
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6 pm: 49er Drive In opens- Showing of Wizard of Oz at dusk (675 N Calumet, Valparaiso)
- This is not a festival sponsored event
- This is not a festival sponsored event
- 6:30 pm: Meet and Greet Miss Indiana, Rick Ewigleben, and Michael Siewert at the American Legion, 798 Wabash Ave
- 7:00 pm: All downtown streets will be closed to allow set up for Saturday!
Saturday, September 17, 9 am to 8 pm
- 8 am: Emerald City 5k Run Sponsored by Duneland YMCA
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9 am to 8 pm: Festival district open
- Come visit all the great food and craft vendors
- Come visit all the great food and craft vendors
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9 am to 8 pm: Souvenir Tent open
- Come purchase your official festival souvenirs
- Come purchase your official festival souvenirs
- 9 am to 8 pm: Silent Auction Tent opens- 3rd Street
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9 am to 5 pm: Munchkin Kid Zone- Thomas Centennial Park
- Come visit the Nipsco area to learn about energy conservation, visit with Magic Matt, visit the coloring tent, and live entertainment starting at Noon on the stage
- Come visit the Nipsco area to learn about energy conservation, visit with Magic Matt, visit the coloring tent, and live entertainment starting at Noon on the stage
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10 am: Horse of a Different Color
- Parade Travels from the middle school (8th and Morgan to Broadway, then right on Broadway to 4th Street to Indiana to Calumet to Porter Ave, back to the middle school)
- Parade Travels from the middle school (8th and Morgan to Broadway, then right on Broadway to 4th Street to Indiana to Calumet to Porter Ave, back to the middle school)
- 12 pm to 5 pm: Bingo by Moose Lodge 1623 Thomas Centennial Park
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12 pm to 6 pm: Dorothy of Oz booth open- 3rd Street
- Come have your picture taken with life size cut outs of the new characters. Learn about the upcoming movie release. Do an audition tape for the “cameo voice over” contest – the chance to do one line for the upcoming movie or even have your audition tape used in movie promotions. To be eligible to do a tape – you must be able to prove that you are a fan of the “Dorothy of Oz” Facebook page. Meet Roger Baum the amazing author of “Dorothy of Oz” and so many other great Oz stories.
- Come have your picture taken with life size cut outs of the new characters. Learn about the upcoming movie release. Do an audition tape for the “cameo voice over” contest – the chance to do one line for the upcoming movie or even have your audition tape used in movie promotions. To be eligible to do a tape – you must be able to prove that you are a fan of the “Dorothy of Oz” Facebook page. Meet Roger Baum the amazing author of “Dorothy of Oz” and so many other great Oz stories.
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12:30 pm to 4 pm: Best of Contests- all contests will be at the bandstand in the park and are free! Registration opens at noon!
- 12:30 pm Crazy Hat Contest
- 1:00pm Dorothy – 0 to 3 years old
- 1:20pm Glinda – 0 to 13 years old
- 1:30pm Glinda – 14 years and older (adults are encouraged to join the fun)
- 1:40pm Favorite Munchkin – 0 to 13 years old
- 1:50pm Dorothy – 4 to 6 years old
- 2:10pm Wicked Witch – 0 to 13 years old
- 2:20pm Wicked Witch – 14 years and up (adults are encouraged to join the fun)
- 2:30pm Flying Monkey – 0 to 13 years old
- 2:40pm Scarecrow – 0 to 13 years old
- 2:50pm Dorothy – 7 to 9 years old
- 3:10pm Tin Man – 0 to 13 years old
- 3:20pm Cowardly Lion – 0 to 13 years old
- 3:30pm Favorite Character – 14 years and up (adults are encouraged to join the fun)
- 3:40pm Dorothy – 14 years and up (adults are encouraged to join the fun)
- 3:50pm Dorothy – 10 to 13 years old
- 12:30 pm Crazy Hat Contest
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1 pm to 4 pm: Celebrity Autograph Sessions- American Legion Post at 798 Wabash Ave
- There are 6 sessions available. Each session is ½ hour – 1pm; 1:30pm; 2pm; 2:30pm; 3pm; 3:30pm. A maximum of 50 tickets will be sold for each session. Tickets must be bought at the souvenir stand prior to the session you want to attend. Tickets are $2. There will be a shuttle bus leaving Riley’s Rail House (on 4th Street) 10 minutes prior to each session – you can also walk or drive yourself. There will be NO TICKETS available at the American Legion. At this event, you will be able to meet and buy autographed items from Margaret Pelligrini, Karl Slover, Myrna Swensen, Mary Ellen St. Aubin, and Caren Marsh-Doll.
- There are 6 sessions available. Each session is ½ hour – 1pm; 1:30pm; 2pm; 2:30pm; 3pm; 3:30pm. A maximum of 50 tickets will be sold for each session. Tickets must be bought at the souvenir stand prior to the session you want to attend. Tickets are $2. There will be a shuttle bus leaving Riley’s Rail House (on 4th Street) 10 minutes prior to each session – you can also walk or drive yourself. There will be NO TICKETS available at the American Legion. At this event, you will be able to meet and buy autographed items from Margaret Pelligrini, Karl Slover, Myrna Swensen, Mary Ellen St. Aubin, and Caren Marsh-Doll.
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3 pm to 4:30 pm: Dorothy's Birthday Party- Moose Lodge, 602 Broadway. Sold Out Event.
- Dorothy’s friends are throwing her a birthday party. Come join the celebration. There will be cake, frozen custard, entertainment, and a very special goody bag for all. Please – no gifts for Dorothy but there will be a donation box for “Toys for Tots”.
- Dorothy’s friends are throwing her a birthday party. Come join the celebration. There will be cake, frozen custard, entertainment, and a very special goody bag for all. Please – no gifts for Dorothy but there will be a donation box for “Toys for Tots”.
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4:15 pm: Parade
- Winners announced at the Park Gazebo
- Winners announced at the Park Gazebo
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6 pm: 49er Drive In opens- Showing of Wizard of Oz at dusk (675 N Calumet, Valparaiso)
- This is not a festival sponsored event
- This is not a festival sponsored event
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7 pm to 10 pm: Oz Collectors Exchange and Auction- Chesterton Middle School. Doors open at 7 pm
- Looking for that Oz must-have, then join exhibitors as they sell and trade collectibles. Let the auction entice you with items donated by Oz celebrities & collectors from around the world. Michael Siewert’s collection will be on display. Celebrities will be available for autographs at this fun-filled event for that collector in you.
Sunday, September 18, 10 am to 4 pm
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9 am to 11:30 am: Brunch with the Munchkins (Brunchkin)- Chesterton Middle School
- Admission $15 for adults - $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Breakfast will be served promptly at 9 – followed by celebrity introductions and entertainment. Everyone attending will receive a goody bag
- Admission $15 for adults - $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Breakfast will be served promptly at 9 – followed by celebrity introductions and entertainment. Everyone attending will receive a goody bag
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10 am to 4 pm: Festival district open
- Come visit the food and craft vendors
- Come visit the food and craft vendors
- 10 am to 4 pm: Souvenir tent open In front of 211 Broadway
- 10 am to 1 pm: Silent Auction Tent open 3rd Street
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10 am to 4 pm: Munchkin Kid Zone- throughout the park
- Come visit the Nipsco area to learn about energy conservation, visit with Magic Matt, be amazed by the acrobats, visit the coloring tent and live entertainment starting at Noon on the stage.
- Come visit the Nipsco area to learn about energy conservation, visit with Magic Matt, be amazed by the acrobats, visit the coloring tent and live entertainment starting at Noon on the stage.
- 10 am to 4 pm: Bingo by Moose Lodge Thomas Centennial Park
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12 pm to 4 pm: Dorothy of Oz booth open- 3rd Street
- Come have your picture taken with life size cut outs of the new characters. Learn about the upcoming movie release. Meet Roger Baum the amazing author of “Dorothy of Oz” and so many other great Oz stories.
- Come have your picture taken with life size cut outs of the new characters. Learn about the upcoming movie release. Meet Roger Baum the amazing author of “Dorothy of Oz” and so many other great Oz stories.
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12:30 pm to 3:30 pm: Celebrity Autograph Sessions- American Legion Post
- There are 6 sessions available. Each session is ½ hour – 12:30pm; 1:00pm; 2pm; 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3pm. A maximum of 50 tickets will be sold for each session. Tickets must be bought at the souvenir stand prior to the session you want to attend. Tickets are $2. There will be a shuttle bus leaving Riley’s Rail House (on 4th Street) 10 minutes prior to each session – you can also walk or drive yourself. There will be NO TICKETS available at the American Legion. At this event, you will be able to meet and buy autographed items from Margaret Pelligrini, Karl Slover, Myrna Swensen, Mary Ellen St. Aubin, and Caren Marsh-Doll.
- There are 6 sessions available. Each session is ½ hour – 12:30pm; 1:00pm; 2pm; 1:30pm; 2:30pm; 3pm. A maximum of 50 tickets will be sold for each session. Tickets must be bought at the souvenir stand prior to the session you want to attend. Tickets are $2. There will be a shuttle bus leaving Riley’s Rail House (on 4th Street) 10 minutes prior to each session – you can also walk or drive yourself. There will be NO TICKETS available at the American Legion. At this event, you will be able to meet and buy autographed items from Margaret Pelligrini, Karl Slover, Myrna Swensen, Mary Ellen St. Aubin, and Caren Marsh-Doll.
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2 pm: Registration open for contests- Thomas Centennial Park Bandstand
- 2:15pm – Toto Look-a-like Contest
- 2:30pm – Dorothy Calling Contest
- 2:45pm – Wicked Witch Cackling Contest
- 2:15pm – Toto Look-a-like Contest
- 2 pm to 5 pm: Silent auction winners can pay and pick up items at souvenir tent- in the Souvenir tent area on 3rd Street
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4:15 pm: Grand Finale- Thomas Centennial Park Bandstand
- Time to say good bye for another year. Winners of the 50/50 raffle and 30th anniversary t-shirt quilt raffle announced. Join us as we close the festival and say good bye to our celebrities.