The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Celebrating all things Oz
CHITTENANGO, N.Y. >> The wonderful world of Oz returns to the birthplace of L. Frank Baum this weekend with the 2019 Oz-Stravaganza in the village of Chittenango.
The All Things Oz Museum will be open throughout the weekend with a collection of Ozrelated memorabilia on display, while Oz-Stravaganza Park will feature amusement rides, games, vendors and more.
Special guests include Broadway stars Ruby Rakos and Steve Margoshes, as well as Oz historian John Fricke. Oz authors and artists Tom Hutchison, Ron Baxley Jr., James and Amanda Wallace, Vincent Myrand, and Jim 8 Ball will also be on hand. Friday will cap off with a fireworks display. Saturday will feature the annual Toto’s Toddler Trot and Kids’ Munchkin Mile Fun Run at 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. respectively. Registration for both begins at 10 a.m.
Registration for the annual Costume Contest begins at 11:45 a.m. with judging at 12:15 p.m.
At 2 p.m. will be the annual Oz-Stravaganza parade down Route 5 celebrating the “Magic of Oz” with grand marshal Ruby Rakos.
Sunday will feature a Coloring Contest at 11 a.m., Royal Historian of Oz Writing Contest at noon, and the grand finale at 4 p.m.
The entire weekend’s schedule of events include:
Friday, May 31
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.—All Things OzMuseumOpen, 219 Genesee St., Chittenango. Admission is $5 per person, children ages 10 and under are free. Guided tours on the hour or tour on your own.
1-6 p.m.—Information Booth, Oz-Stravaganza! Park, information for Oz-Stravaganza! and the Chittenango area, courtesy of Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce.
1- 9 p. m.— Oz- Stravaganza! Park open. Rides, games, vendors/crafters, Oz souvenirs and memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Children’s activities. Special Guests in Glinda’s Royal Tent.
1-8 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop open, Oz-Stravaganza! Park.
2- 5 p.m.—History Exhibit, Glinda’s Tent, OzStravaganza! Park. (Sponsored by Chittenango Lions and Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce)
2-5 p.m.—Costume Designer Shawn Ryan at All Things Oz Museum
3-7 p.m.—Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction, Glinda’s Royal Tent located in Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Includes Oz, non-Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates and more.
4 p. m.—Amusement Rides open in Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Ride specials available.
3:30–5 p.m.—Autographs with Special Oz Guests in Glinda’s Royal Tent, OzStravaganza! Park. Ruby Rakos, Steve Margoshes and John Fricke.
3:30–5 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, Oz- Stravaganza! Park. Meet with Oz authors and artists. Tom Hutchison, Ron Baxley, Jr., James/Amanda Wallace, Vincent Myrand, Jim8Ball (Sponsored by Koester Associates).
6– 8: 30 p. m.—Friday Night OZ Program, First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St., Chittenango, at Oz- Stravaganza! Park grounds. (Sponsored by Community Bank andHunt Real Estate)
Begins at Dusk—The “Ozsome” Oz Fireworks, Community Recognition Park, Legion Drive, Chittenango.
Saturday, June 1
7 a.m. to noon—All-youcan- eat buffet pancake breakfast. First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St., Chittenango, at Oz-Stravaganza! Park grounds.
9:45 a.m.–L. Frank Baum and Munchkin Memorial Plaque Dedication, All Things Oz Museum
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.—OzStravaganza! Park open. Rides, games, vendors/ crafters, Oz souvenirs and memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Children’s activities. Special Guests in Glinda’s Royal Tent.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop open, OzStravaganza! Park.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.—All Things Oz Museum Open, 219 Genesee St., Chittenango. Admission is $5 per person, children ages 10 and under are free. Guided tours on the hour or tour on your own.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—Information Booth, Oz-Stravaganza! Park, information for Oz-Stravaganza! and the Chittenango area, courtesy of Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce.
10 a.m—Kids’ Munchkin Mile Fun Run and Toto’s Toddler Trot (Sponsored by Chittenango Physical Therapy and Kinney Drugs Foundation). Registration begins at 10 a.mat the Chittenango Fire Department (417 Genesee Street, next to the Oz-Stravaganza Park). Runs start at 11 a.m. Preregistration $10, late/day of registration $12. Free Tshirts for the first 100 entries. All runners will receive a free amusement ride ticket.
Toto’s Toddler Trot begins at 11 a.m. Ages 4 and under. This fun run/walk is approximately 1/4 mile long and will begin and end at the Chittenango Fire Department. Munchkin Mile Run begins at 11:15 a.m. Ages 12 and under. The race route is approximately 1 mile long and will begin and end at the Chittenango Fire Department.
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.— History Exhibit, Glinda’s Tent, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. (Sponsored by Chittenango Lions and Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce)
10:30 a.m. to noon—Authors & Artists Alley, OzStravaganza! Park. Meet with Oz authors and artists. Tom Hutchison, Ron Baxley, Jr., James/Amanda Wallace, Vincent Myrand, Jim 8 Ball (Sponsored by Koester Associates).
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.— Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction in Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Includes Oz, non- Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates & more.
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.— Costume Designer Shawn Ryan at All Things Oz Museum
11:45 a. m.— Costume Contest (Sponsored by Vantage Equipment and Brookside Consultants). Open to all ages. Dress up like Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, The Wicked Witch, Glinda, the Munchkins, or any other Oz book/movie character your heart desires. There will be three awards per category and age group.
Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. at the Main Stage in Oz- Stravaganza Park. You must register upon arrival to participate and be eligible for an award. Judging starts promptly at 12:15 p.m. on the Main Stage. Awards will be presented immediately following judging on the Main Stage, prior to the Oz parade. All awards that are not picked up at the ceremony will be available for the winners to pick up at the Chittenango Village Hall during normal business hours.
Noon—Amusement Rides open, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Ride specials available.
1: 15–1: 45 p. m.— Cartoon Magician Mike Carter will perform magic show on main stage, Oz-Stravaganza! Park.
2–3 p.m.—2019 Oz-Stravaganza! Parade. Theme: “The Magic of OZ” Grand Marshal: Ruby Rakos. Music filled parade with Ozzie f loats, animals, marching units, special guests and more. Parade route is Route 5 starting at Sullivan Free Library and continuing north to Community Savings Bank. Streets into the village will close at 1 p.m., so plan accordingly. (Sponsored by Rotary of Chittenango and Empower Federal Credit Union)
3:30–5 p.m.—Autographs with special Oz guests, OzStravaganza! Park. Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Roger Baum, Ruby Rakos, Steve Margoshes and John Fricke
3:30–5 p.m.—Costume Designer Shawn Ryan at All Things Oz Museum
3:30–5 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, Oz- Stravaganza! Park. Meet with Oz authors and artists. Tom Hutchison, Ron Baxley, Jr. (Sponsored by Koester Associates).
6 p.m.—Saturday Night OZ Program & Showing of the “Wizard of Oz” movie, Chittenango High School, 150 Genesee St., Chittenango, NY. (Sponsored by Perry Law Office)
Sunday, June 2
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—OzStravaganza! Park open. Rides, games, vendors/crafters, Oz souvenirs and memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Children’s activities.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop open, OzStravaganza! Park.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—All Things Oz Museum Open, 219 Genesee St., Chittenango. Admission is $5 per person, children ages 10 and under are free. Guided tours on the hour or tour on your own.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—History Exhibit, Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. (Sponsored by Chittenango Lions and Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce)
10–11:30 a.m.—Broadway in OZ, All Things Oz Museum, autographs with Ruby Rakos and Steve Margoshes.
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.— Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction in Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Includes Oz, non-Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates and more.
11 a.m.—Coloring Contest Awards, Main Stage in OzStravaganza! Park. (Sponsored by The Wilson Insurance Agency)
Noon—RoyalHistorian of OzWriting Contest Awards, Main Stage in Oz-Stravaganza! Park. First place winnerswill be read by Special Oz Guests. (Sponsored by Madison Mutual Insurance and Tops Friendly Market)
Noon—Amusement Rides Open, Oz- Stravaganza! Park. Ride specials available.
Noon to 3 p.m.—Costume Designer Shawn Ryan at All Things Oz Museum
12:30–3 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, Oz-Stravaganza! Park. Meet with Oz authors and artists. Tom Hutchison, Ron Baxley, Jr., James/Amanda Wallace, Vincent Myrand, Jim 8 Ball (Sponsored by Koester Associates).
1–3 p.m.—Autographs with Special Oz Guests, Glinda’s Royal Tent, OzStravaganza! Park. Roger Baum, Ruby Rakos, Steve Margoshes and John Fricke.
4 p.m.—Grand Finale, Main Stage, Oz- Stravaganza! Park. (Sponsored by Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Se Guin Land Surveying)