Oz-Stravaganza

Chittenango, NY -- The 33rd annual Oz-Stravaganza! honoring Chittenango native and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” author L. Frank Baum runs Friday through Sunday with munchkins, idols, a parade and fair.

This year, Caren Marsh-Doll, the stand-in for Judy Garland in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” will be grand marshal of Saturday’s parade.

Events begin at 1 p.m. with activites at Oz-Stravaganza! Park.

Special guests also include munchkins Trumpeter Karl Slover, Flowerpot Margaret Pellegrini and munchkin by marriage Myrna Swensen, who would have had a role in the film had she not had become ill.

Baum’s great-grandson Bob Baum, “Dressing a Legend” curator Michael Siewert, Oz cartoonist Eric Shanower, and historian and author John Fricke.

Friday’s events begin with a spaghetti dinner with the special guests at the Chittenango High School followed by a free evening of Oz entertainment.

Souvenirs, a special postal cancellation, and silent auction will be held.

Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. at Community Recognition Park, where activities are scheduled to begin.

Rides, crafts, vendors, games, free entertainment and a petting zoo will take place from 10 a.m. to dark Saturday in Oz-Stravanganza! Park.

The grand parade kicks off at 2 p.m.

The finals of the Emerald City Idol Singing Competition will take place at 6 p.m. at the high school.

On Sunday, the fair reopens at 10 a.m. with amusement park rides opening at noon. The special guests will hold an autograph session and the final segment of the silent auction will be held. The grand finale takes place on stage at 4 p.m.


This article originally appreared in the Syracuse News:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/oz-stravaganza_takes_over_chit.html