The individuals who portrayed the Munchkins in "The Wizard of OZ" in 1939 were youngsters, teenagers and young adults.

Today there are only a few of these wonderful people still with us. We will welcome several of the original Munchkins to OZtoberFest 2010. Most are in their mid 80s but remain full of energy and enthusiasm for the film that made them familiar around the world.

This year we will welcome back our friends Margaret Pellegrini, Karl Slover, Jerry and Elizabeth Maren and Myrna Swenson will be joining us.  You may recognize Jerry as the center member of the lollipop guild who awards Dorothy with a giant lollipop. Myrna is beloved munchkin Clarence Swenson's widow and she is estatic to share stories and memories of Clarence with fans again.  

The Munchkins will sign autographs and photos at the Columbian Theatre at specific times during OZtoberFest.  See the schedule of events or times and locations of Munchkin appearances.

There is no additional charge to enter the autograph sessions, but, you must purchase OZtoberFest tickets for admission into the Munchkin autograph session.

*The Muchkins charge an additional fee per autograph.*

Short and Sweet is a memoir of Jerry Maren's sixty-plus-year career in Hollywood. 

The Columbian Theatre will present The Wizard of OZ throughout the month of October, 2010. During the weekend of OZtoberFest, the performances will feature cameo appearances by the original Munchkins who are attending the festival.  Click here to see schedule of Stage production and to order tickets on-line.

You will have the opportunity to meet the owner of the new collection on exhibit, John Paul Cafiero. 

Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM s a Franciscan Priest of the Sacred Heart Province of Chicago/St. Louis.  Born and raised in the New York Metro area, Friar Johnpaul is the oldest of an Italian/Polish Catholic family.  He is a former police officer who has worked as a counselor and chaplain at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago.  As a follower of St. Francis of Assisi, Friar Johnpaul’s love of the poor and outcasts is only surpassed by his love of the scripture.  This comes through his many speaking and preaching engagements.

Johnpaul writes, "Why is Oz so special?  I grew up in an alcoholic family – my grandfather and my dad.  Dad was in the Navy and was away a lot.  He always made it a point to get home for the annual TV showing of The Wizard of Oz.  It was family night, with big chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate.  There wasn’t any fighting or loud shouting.  It was just us together and enjoying each other’s company, hiding under our pillows when the Wicked Witch appeared.  As I got older and Dad got sober (40 years now) I realized why Oz was so important.  It was the place I could go, when “Kansas got crazy”.  It was that place “over the rainbow … where troubles melt like lemon drops …”, it was a place of magic. 

I have used the collection and the wisdom of Oz to do mentoring retreats with inner city kids in Chicago.  We talk about friends on the yellow brick road of life, of haunted forests, wicked witches and flying monkeys – drugs, gangs, poverty, and violence.  I ask them to look to the Wizard (God) for advice and the way home.  I get them to see the magic in their own hands – ruby slippers. Yes Oz is a very special place for me, my family and all those “young at heart” in search of the magic in life. "

The OZ Museum hosts one of the broadest collections of OZ Memoribilia in existance.  Come and explore over 100 years of OZ history, from the first edition L. Frank Baum books published in 1900 to the most current collectable pieces.  Shop in the OZ Museum gift shop for everything from exclusive apparel to waterglobes and other unique collectables. 

Roger Baum

Roger Baum attended the Grand Opening of the OZ Museum in 2004 and the lines of people waiting for his autograph were testimony to his popularity as an author of children's books. Baum will be back for the OZtoberFest and is sure to delight even more with his stories and books.  Mr. Baum's books are available for sale in the OZ Museum gift shop.

Roger and his wife Charlene will be available all day Saturday and Sunday to answer questions and sign books. 

Robert and Clare Baum

Robert Baum has spent the first few years of his retirement traveling the world, re-enacting the life of L. Frank Baum, his great-grandfather. The celebrated author (L. Frank) began as a storyteller and great-grandson’s re-enactments are a delight to Baum fans of all ages. 

Mr. Baum has also loaned the OZ Museum numerous artifacts from

his personal family collection that will be on exhibit for the first time.  This will give OZtoberFest particiapants a rare glance into the life and family of L. Frank Baum.

Robert and Clare will be presenting in the OZ Museum Theatre on Saturday and Sunday.  They will also be available in the museum throughout the weekend to answer questions and sign autographs.

Michael Siewert

Michael Siewert is back again with apartial showing of his national touring exhibit, Judy Garland The Dressing Of A Legend. Michael Siewert has amassed the largest collection of Judy Garland memorabilia in the world. He began collecting when he fell in love with "Dorothy" at the age of six years old. His exhibitions have allowed him to meet and spend time with many of Judy's family, colleagues and friends. He comes prepared with many great stories about Judy Garland and his collecting tactics. You will not want to miss this special event!

Michael will be presenting in the OZ Museum Theatre on Saturday and Sunday.  He will also be available in the museum throughout the weekend to answer questions and sign autographs.

Click here to visit Micheal Siewert's website.

John Fricke

We are pleased to welcome back John Fricke this year.  John is

widely acknowledged as the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz author/historian, John Fricke received a 2004 Emmy Award as coproducer of the two-hour, PBS-TV 'American Masters' program, Judy Garland: By Myself. This was his second recognition by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; he won similar honors in 1997 as co-producer and co-writer of the A&E 'Biography' special, Judy: Beyond the Rainbow, based on his book, Judy Garland: World's Greatest Entertainer (Henry Holt, 1992).

In autumn 2005, Fricke served as creative consultant for the new, deluxe DVD set(s) of M-G-M's The Wizard of Oz, released by Warner Home Video. The discs include his on-camera appearance or behind-the-scenes participation in six of the eight accompanying Oz-related documentaries, as well as his narration and hosting of the alternate audio track commentary, heard throughout the film itself. The Oz set won highest honors in numerous critical and popular polls as 'best of 2005.' In 2006, Fricke appeared in the documentaries accompanying the first appearance on DVD of the Garland films Summer Stock, Ziegfeld Follies, and Till the Clouds Roll By.

His most recent book, Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art and Anecdote, was published in 2003 by Bulfinch Press and includes a foreword by Lorna Luft. This was the first such participation in any author's treatise on their mother by one of Judy's children. Fricke is also the author of 100 Years of Oz (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1999) -- an overview of the entire Oz phenomenon -- and The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History, most recently reissued in 1998 by Warner Books.

John will be presenting in the OZ Museum theatre on Saturday and Sunday.  He will also be available in the museum throughout the weekend to answer questions and sign autographs.

Steve Cox

STEPHEN COX is a freelance writer and author of more than a dozen books specializing in popular culture, film and television.  He has written for TV Guide, The Hollywood Reporter, US magazine, and has contributed feature stories to Los Angeles Times.  The author has been interviewed on CNN’s Larry King Live, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS News Nightwatch, E! True Hollywood Story, A&E Biography, Turner Classic Movies, MSNBC’s Headliners & Legends, Fox News’ Fox & Friends,  and Entertainment Tonight.  Cox, now 40, grew up in St. Louis and currently lives in Los Angeles.     Books by Cox include:

• The Munchkins Remember   The Wizard of Oz and Beyond
• The Addams Chronicles
• The Beverly Hillbillies
• Here’s Johnny!
• The Abbott & Costello Story   Sixty Years of Who’s On First?
• The Munsters    A Trip Down Mockingbird Lane
• The Hooterville Handbook    A Viewer’s Guide to Green Acres
• Here on Gilligan’s Isle
• The Munchkins of Oz
• Cooking in Oz with Elaine Willingham  
• Dreaming of Jeannie   TVs Prime Time in a Bottle  
• It’s a Wonderful Life   A Memory Book 
• One Fine Stooge   Larry Fine’s Frizzy Life in Pictures 

              with Jim Terry  

Steve will be signing autographs with the munchkins both Saturday and Sunday.

Don't forget to check The Columbian Theatre for the fifth Annual OZtoberFest auction. Proceeds from the auction go to benefit the preservation and expansion of the OZ Museum. 

2010 items will be listed as received.

2009 Oztoberfest Auction items:

Columbian Theatre Production poster, signed by cast
 

Cookie Jar, 70th Anniversary Limited Edition Wizard of Oz

2009 Release of MGM Classic Movie, signed by special guests

PEZ 70th Anniversary Limited Edition set of Dispensers

Oz Winery ‘Yellow Brick Road’ bottle of wine, signed by special guests

Oztoberfest poster, signed by special guests

 
Oztoberfest Yellow brick, signed by special guests

Tonner Doll Co Anniversary Special "We Welcome You to Munchkinland", doll with Margaret Pellegrini autographed stand and pictures.

Wicked Witch of the East Death Certificate with signed black broom

Wizard of Oz fabric handmade lap quilt, signed by special guests

For more information on auction items, please call the OZ Museum giftshop at 1-866-458-TOTO (8686).

OZtoberFest wouldn't be the same without the Munchkinland play area.  This area has giant inflatables to jump on, slide down, and manuver through as well as other family friendly activities.  Munchkinland will be operated by the American Legion Post 172 and all proceeds from this event will go to benefit the activities of the Legion.

*Parents may not leave children unattended in Munchkinland.*

Munchkinland is sponsored by the following businesses:

Ebert Construction

Schilling Construction

Walters-Morgan Construction Co.

Hosted by the Pott. County Eco-Devo and WamSagMan Trail Committee, this is the fifth year for the Yellow Brick Road ride.  Enjoy a day of cycling and family fun in beautiful Pottawatomie County, Kansas.  Click here for more information about the Yellow Brick Road Ride

Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts Humane Society is inviting all people and their pets to participate in the Howl-o-ween Parade and costume contest.  So, dress yourself and your pet up and join us!  Anyone is welcome to compete and there will be great prizes.  This fun event will generate much needed donations, all of which go toward the care of homeless local animals.  Registration is 9am to Noon Saturday and the parade and costume judging begins at 1:00 pm.  Click here for more information on Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts as well as more information on the Howl-o-ween Parade and Contest.

Kaw Valley Express returns this year for the second time.  You and your family can enjoy a train ride through OZ in beautiful downtown Wamego.  Train rides are $2.00 per person.

Two blocks of Wamego's main street will be closed during the festival.  This area will be filled with activities for our OZtoberFest guests to enjoy.  The main stage will host entertainment throughout the day and the OZ Business District will offer commercial vendor booths, non-profit organization information and original arts & craft vendors.