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SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 ISSUE

Off to Oz

17th Annual Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain October 2 and 3

Story by Corinne Saunders

The 17th annual Autumn at Oz will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, and this year’s event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Land of Oz theme park’s initial opening. The family-friendly event includes all the wonders of Oz, as well as special guests, face painting, concessions and more.

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3
Time: 10:00 a.m./12:00 p.m./2:00 p.m.
Location: old Land of Oz theme park, Beech Mountain
Cost: $16.50 advance/$20 at event if available

THE LAND OF OZ (1970 to 1980)

For those who may be too young to remember, a miniature replica of the Land of Oz opened on Beech Mountain in 1970. For 10 years, the theme park delighted young and old visitors with intricate replicas of the yellow brick road, Dorothy’s house—before and after the tornado—Uncle Henry’s barn, munchkin land, Emerald City and all four domains of the lion, the scarecrow, the witch and the tin man.

Grover Robbins, Jr., along with his brothers Harry and Spencer, responsible for the creation of Tweetsie Railroad and Hound Ears Club, commissioned the project after Beech’s gnarled tree landscape reminded him of the enchanted forest from 1939’s Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, Robbins passed away just before Oz opened.

Up until 1980, the Land of Oz was a sanctuary for museum quality Oz memorabilia and Oz fanatics alike. Tours, guided by battalions of Dorothys, would take visitors from stop to stop, explaining the world of Oz.

After its parent company, Carolina Caribbean, declared bankruptcy and the park saw declining attendance numbers, it was forced to close in 1980. It fell victim to neglect and vandalism until 1990, when Emerald Mountain Development and friends of Oz made attempts to restore much of the old theme park.

And to celebrate Oz’s resurgence, Emerald Mountain Development holds Autumn at Oz once a year, welcoming past employees of the Land of Oz or “Ozzies,” members of the original movie cast, past visitors with fond memories and newcomers of all ages.

“It’s a very unique event, and if you or your children are interested in Oz, it’s a one-of-a-kind stroll on the yellow brick road,” said Craig Distl, media contact for Autumn at Oz, about the event.

The 17th annual Autumn at Oz will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, at the old Land of Oz theme park atop Beech Mountain. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $20 at the event, if not sold out beforehand. Children ages 2 and under are admitted for free.

Meet Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, Glinda the Good Witch and a host of other fun characters at the event, stroll through the enchanted forest and take a tour of Dorothy’s house in the magical land of Oz.

Tickets are limited this year for the first time “in an effort to make it more pleasant for everyone,” said Cindy Keller, manager of Emerald Mountain Realty and Autumn at Oz event coordinator.

Last year, 8,500 people attended the event, and the year before, 8,200 showed up, Keller said, noting that tickets this year will be limited to 7,000. Autumn at Oz will involve three sessions daily, which begin at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Advance tickets are available online by clicking to www.AutumnAtOz.com.

“Dress appropriately for the weather, wear good walking shoes and bring your camera and extra money,” Keller advised.

Special guests this year include Fred Rush, who “has a lovely collection of rare Oz books and puppets and games and memorabilia,” Keller said, as well as Asheville author Greg Leng, who recently wrote a book commemorating the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Land of Oz theme park, which operated at Beech Mountain from 1970 to 1980.

Rush will display his collection at the eventsome of which will be going to the Smithsonian Institution afterwardand will also sell some rare Oz books, Keller said.

Autumn at Oz includes a mini-museum, bluegrass bands, local dancers, a small petting zoo, face painting, souvenir vendors, concessions and more, according to the website.

“It’s a beautiful fall weekend—a good time to see the leaves, and it’s a wonderful setting,” Distl said.

The 44,000 yellow bricks that comprise the park’s yellow brick road make the event grounds picturesque and memorable, and the panoramic view from the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook Gazebo is also a favorite with attendees, the press release said.

Visitors can park in the meadows across from Beech Mountain Town Hall, and the session start hours signify the loading times for the shuttle or hayride to the grounds, according to the event website. The property is not wheelchair accessible or accommodating to large strollers.

For more information about Autumn at Oz or to purchase tickets, call 800-468-5506 or click to www.AutumnAtOz.com. For more information about the rare books that Rush will display at the event, click to www.rareozbooks.com.