SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 ISSUE
Hello, Yellow Brick Road
Autumn at Oz Party on Beech Mountain October 3 and 4
At one time the top attraction in the state of North Carolina, Beech Mountain’s once-sparkling Land of Oz theme park fell victim to neglect, vandalism and the forces of nature in the years after 1980, when the park closed following a 10-year run.
But since the early 1990s, Emerald Mountain Realty has worked to restore The Wizard of Oz-themed park by renovating Dorothy’s farmhouse; re-roofing gazebos; repairing a fountain, pond and waterfall; rebuilding Wicked’s Castle from scratch; and unearthing and patching the Yellow Brick Road.
Each year, to celebrate the memory of the park and to finance future restoration efforts, thousands of visitors flock to the mountain for Autumn at Oz, a grand two-day party with more colorful characters to show you around than ever before.
“It’s amazing how many people come back year after year for this thing,” said Cindy Keller, a broker at Emerald Mountain and the Autumn at Oz coordinator.
If you’ve never experienced the wonder of Oz at 5,506 feet high, tap your heels together three times and head to Beech Mountain on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4. But don’t close your eyes. You’ll need those to drive.
From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, skip along with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion—and Toto, too—at the 16th annual Autumn at Oz, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of the 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland.
Park at the meadow across from the Beech Mountain Town Hall and catch a hayride or shuttle to the Land of Oz. Ski Beech might even crank up the ski lift this year, Keller said, providing a scenic ride to the top.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by plenty of vendors offering delicious treats, souvenirs and Oz memorabilia. Then, make your way in for a tour through Kansas and Oz, reliving the experience of park visitors in the ‘70s. Inside the park will be live bluegrass music, magic shows, face painting and a mini Oz museum.
You can choose to take your own self-guided tour through the park, or let Dorothy lead the way. Tour times are on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Joining the many costumed volunteers at the Land of Oz will be just as many visitors who come dressed in their own homemade Wizard of Oz attire. Scores of women and children—and even a few men—come dressed as Dorothy Gale, the iconic star of The Wizard of Oz, and other popular characters.
“Some of these people spend lots of time and lots of money [on their costumes],” Keller said. By the way, if you happen to spot a mustached Munchkin Mayor running around, that would be the lady in charge.
Autumn at Oz initially began as a small reunion of 300 to 500 people, but last year the festival hit its highest attendance ever, with 8,200 paying visitors, Keller said.
“It’s one of the bigger events that we have up here,” she said.
The kind folks at Autumn at Oz hope you’ll take with you many fond memories of your experience—but hands off the bricks, souvenir-seekers. In the spirit of restoring the park, organizers gladly welcome the return of props or other items taken from the original park—no questions asked.
In the future, Keller has dreams of rebuilding the Emerald City amphitheater and picnic area that burned down in 1975. Keller is certain the annual reunion will continue for many years to come.
“I think that whether I’m here or not, certainly the spirit will carry on without me,” she said.
Tickets to Autumn at Oz are $15 per person—cash or check only—and include discount coupons for nearby Grandfather Mountain and lodging specials on the mountain. Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets for $12.50 each. Lift rides at Ski Beech will be $10, weather permitting.
The event will take place rain or shine. Bring a jacket or sweater and an umbrella. Wheelchairs and strollers are not recommended.
For more information, call the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 828-387-9283 or click to www.beechmtn.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day
Location: Land of Oz, Beech Mountain
Cost: $15
The Wizard of Oz Turns 70
The iconic movie that produced such memorable phrases as “there’s no place like home” and “lions and tigers and bears! oh my!” and such unforgettable characters as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion is 70 years old as of August.
The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was released by MGM on August 25, 1939. The film starred Judy Garland as Dorothy, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and Billie Burke.
The film won Academy Awards for best original score and best song for “Over the Rainbow.” It also received Oscar nominations for best picture, best art direction, best cinematography and best special effects.
The Wizard of Oz was aired annually on television from 1959 to 1991, and the Library of Congress names the movie as the most-watched film in history.
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