Oz In My Own Backyard: Wamego’s OZtoberFest 2013
From the moment I arrived until the moment I left, the Yellow Brick Carpet was rolled out for me, and it was a real pleasure to be among such terrific people—guests, staff, and visitors alike! A first-class gathering. A well-olied machine. Everyone involved helped bring the spirit of Oz to Kansas this past weekend.
OZtoberFest 2013 in Wamego, Kansas: Clint Stueve, executive director of the Oz Museum, and Brooke Rindt, Marketing Retail Specialist at the Columbian Theatre.
I started Friday morning, with a radio talk show called “In Focus” on KMAN 1350AM in Manhattan, Kansas. We chatted extensively about my books and the forthcoming festival. OZtoberFest chairman Clark Balderson and host Cathy Dawes were on the program with me.
OZtoberFest 2013 chairman Clark Balderson and news director Cathy Dawes, following our interview at KMAN 1350AM, Manhattan, Kansas.
The festivities began with a Friday evening fundraiser in the Peddicord Playhouse of the Columbian Theatre. The delicious food was catered by Wahoo Fire and Ice Grill of Manhattan. After cocktails and dinner, we were treated to the brilliant music of Harold Arlen, composer of the songs for MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz,” plus many classics, like “That Old Black Magic,” “The Man That Got Away,” “Let’s Fall In Love,” “Get Happy,” and countless other American standards that could have easily filled a dozen evenings. The host for the event was none other than John Fricke, two-time Emmy-winner, Oz historian, Judy Garland expert, and author of several definitive books on both subjects. He introduced us to the fiercely talented and lively Betti O, along with the Bill Harshbarger Jazz Ensemble. Together, they took us on a musical journey through Arlen’s life and career. The evening couldn’t have been better, and it was a truly classy way to begin a weekend of celebration.
Beautiful, oversized murals surround an evening of great food and music at the Peddicord Playhouse in the historic Columbian Theatre. Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
Jazz singer Betti O with the Bill Harshbarger Jazz Ensemble performing the Harold Arlen Songbook at the Columbian Theatre. Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
My vantage point for nearly the entire festival was the Oz Museum, where this year’s special guests were housed throughout at individual signing tables. For those of you who haven’t visited this one-of-a-kind destination, it features a vast and rare collection, largely the property of JohnPaul Cafiero, who was one of this year’s guests—and a terrific guy. His staggering collection (second largest in the world) contains over 25,000 pieces, only 2,500 to 3,000 on rotating display at any given time, and is viewed via an immersive experience that takes visitors on a walking tour through the entire story of “The Wizard of Oz”—from the main entrance through Dorothy’s farmhouse in Kansas to Munchkinland to the Scarecrow’s cornfield, the Tin Man’s cottage, the Cowardly Lion’s woods, and right on to the Haunted Forest, the poppy field, the Emerald City, then back home again to Kansas!
I did my best to grab a few early morning photos before the crowds came through!
My perch for Saturday, inside the Oz Museum, near the Emerald City displays.
Paul Miles Schneider poses in the Wizard’s balloon with JohnPaul Cafiero, owner of the huge collection on display at the Oz Museum. Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
A little Oz fan, daughter of an OZtoberFest 2013 staff member, who just happens to be wearing silver shoes!
MGM Munchkin-by-marriage Myrna Swenson (right) and her daughter Nancy flew in from Texas to join us as a special guest! The always delightful Myrna is the widow of Munchkin soldier Clarence Swenson.
Part of the Wicked Witch of the West’s room, featuring a prototype hour glass from the 1939 movie, built to create the three hour glasses used on screen in the film! Owner JohnPaul Cafiero tells me it’s very light, made of balsa wood!
Oz author Roger S. Baum, great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, with his lovely wife Charlene Baum. So delighted to spend time with them both this weekend!
Clare Baum, wife of Robert (another great-grandson), dressed in costume as Maud Gage Baum, L. Frank Baum’s wife! She and her husband Robert make many appearances at schools and events around the nation, sharing the life of the famous Oz author. It’s always good to see Clare again!
Two-time Emmy-winner, Oz historian, Judy Garland expert, and author of several definitive books on both subjects—John Fricke—prepares while visitors gather for his first of several standing-room-only presentations given throughout the weekend.
One of only four flying monkeys known to exist. Made of rubber and suspended from wires, it was seen in the MGM film flying past the witch’s castle and descending through the trees, down into the Haunted Forest, to attack Dorothy and her friends! This is the only one that still has its fragile wings intact after 75 years. A rare movie artifact, indeed!
Oz Musuem collection owner JohnPaul Cafiero and his friends Louise and Brian, who traveled with him from Chicago to join us for the festival. Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
A giant Tin Man oversees the gift shop in the Oz Museum. Wamego, Kansas. 2013
A tiny Toto peeks through with the help of Mom as Dorothy, posing for a photo op outside the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas. OZtoberFest 2013.
Paul Miles Schneider (center) poses with two delightful Oz fans, Chris and Katlyn, who came all the way from Des Moines, Iowa, for the festival. And yes, that’s a rainbow bursting out of Paul’s head! This was taken following one of his presentations at this year’s OZtoberfest! Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
Charlene Baum, Roger S. Baum, and Paul Miles Schneider, special guests at this year’s OZtoberFest. A 3D animated film adaptation of Roger’s book “Dorothy of Oz” will hit movie theatres in May, now called “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return.” Several promotional posters can be seen on the wall. Wamego, Kansas. 2013.
Early visitors to the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas. 2013. This was taken from my second vantage point for Sunday’s signings, near the Little Theatre.
Friends and Oz fans who traveled from Kansas City, Missouri, for the festival. Left to right: Melodie Foreman, Cathy Allen, author Paul Miles Schneider, and Jane Albright. OZtoberFest 2013. Wamego, Kansas.
Perhaps my favorite photo taken this weekend. The royal lineage: cousins Robert Baum and Roger Baum, both great-grandsons of L. Frank Baum, chatting away during a party for the special guests and staff of OZtoberFest 2013. Wamego, Kansas.
I enjoyed getting to know you at Oztoberfest. I can’t believe I am in your blog. I cannot wait until we get to meet again. Hope all is well.
Likewise, Katlyn! It was such a pleasure meeting you and Chris. I look forward to the next time!
I was wondering where you next signing will be? I would like to get signed copies of your books as gifts for my family this year.
Katlyn, how wonderful! I would be pleased and honored to oblige. No signings scheduled in the immediate future, and my next big one will likely be in Upstate New York next spring for Oz-Stravaganza! If you go to my web link below, there is a “Contact Paul” button, and we can arrange to get you the signed books via mail. Thanks very much!
https://www.paulmilesschneider.com/bio.htm
I would love to be volunteer as Dorothy Gale with the Oz Characters.
Paul, May I volunteer as Dorothy Gale in Chesterton, Indiana, please?
Hi, Teresa,
I’ve never been to the Chesterton, Indiana, festival, but I understand they didn’t have it last year. I’m not sure if they are continuing in the future or not, but you might try contacting them through their website for more information. Good luck!