Ionia Wizard of Oz Festival 2016 and Nomes of Oz ~

Once more, Time passes before I can get to my posting and I find that it's been more than a few days.
Such as it is, here is my views on what Amanda and I experienced at this wonderful festival celebrating all things from the Land of Oz.

 As usual, we start near the beginning as we pass the Pinwheel Fields, which show up in our latest book, Nomes of Oz.

 Naturally, no trip to Ionia, Michigan (and this is our third journey there) would be complete without a lighthouse at the border.

I must confess that the journey northward was not without its share of unusuality.

Once we arrived at the American Inn & Suites on Thursday, which was a wonderful place to stay, both in the accommodations and the staff, we attended a very pleasant dinner for the local Council on Aging group. They served cake and I wound up eating Dorothy. Bwahahahaha!

The next morning started out oddly, as it seemed to be snowing in June.

Turns out it's a form of seed pods from the local trees, though no one we asked knew what type. The entrance into Ionia is very pleasant and we soon found ourselves upon the Red Brick Road and set up for the day.

 

 

We were soon joined by Vincent Myrand and his lovely lady, Alicia, along with a couple of Vincent's trained minions.

 

  The crowds were excellent, especially given the heat, which wasn't awful, but a bit intense. Fortunately for Amanda and I, we don't do air conditioning at home, so we're used to heat and Amanda did very well. Our location beneath the Ionia Theater marquise helped a great deal too. We like being there. A quick trip into the back of the theater confirmed that Enarc Brenkert was still around.

 

For those who may be interested, Enarc Brenkert is a major part of our latest book, Nomes of Oz. Turns out the residents of Oz get to experience what everyone out here in the Great Outside have enjoyed since 1939.

 Soon, the whole gang showed up and then it was on!

This was Friday and everyone was in a very Oz mood. 

Saturday was equally as hot and full of Oz. For me, the highlight was the appearance of a Corvette Show, which just happened to park right across the street from us.

One of the very unique things about this festival is that they show The Wizard of Oz (1939) at the theater for only a quarter. That's the 1939 price, so I'm told.

They even had a costume contest...

... and we got to spend a little time with the Guest of Honor, Mary St. Ellen Aubin (Munchkin-by-Marriage), who has been attending this fine festival for as long as we have, 3 years. We call ourselves Charter Members of the Ionia Wizard of Oz Festival and both Amanda and I always look forward to seeing and visitng with her.

By the end of Saturday, we were fully spent, but thrilled to be a part of the Closing Ceremonies and were grateful for the Love shown us by all in attendance.

We left Ionia on Sunday, unable to stop talking about the whole weekend and how much fun we had. We vowed to return next year... if they'll have us.

Amanda and I can't thank Linda Curtis, the fine folks who volunteered their time, sweat and effort, as well as the town of Ionia, Michigan for everything. We have watched this festival grow and grow, getting better each year and making us long for the next.

The 39th Oz-Stravaganza 2016 and the Nomes of Oz

It's been a few weeks since Amanda and I attended this biggest Wizard of Oz Festival of the year and time now permits me to get at it.

We chose to leave the Land of the Hoosiers a few days early in order to have a pleasant journey. So naturally, we hit a few wineries along the way.

 

Turns out Pennsylvania is second only to California with the most acreage devoted to vinyards. Who knew?

Once we hit New York State, the nickle and diming of the Toll Roads began. 

The one odd feature of the Toll Roads are the Rest Stops, one of which features an elevated walkway that crosses the highway.

Of course, once we made it to the Craftsmann Inn in Fayetteville, which is near Chittenango, site of the 39th Annual Oz-Stravaganza, of which we were Guest Authors in the Authors & Artists Alley. Once we settled in, we made our way to the festival grounds and it became obvious we were no longer in Kansas.

After stopping by the local library and the All Things Oz Museum to donate a copy of our latest book, Nomes of Oz,

we then made our way to Chittenango Falls, which always gives us inspiration for our next book.

As usual, we found inspiration in the oddest of places.

The next day was Saturday and the best of the three days of the festival. We found the usual Poppy Field and set up nearby in the Authors & Artists Alley tent.

The day was spent interacting with numerous kids, parents and all manner of fans of the Wizard of Oz. Alongside us were the usual crew of suspects (Authors and/or Artists).

Vincent Myrand (Artist)

Ron Baxley, Jr. (Author)

Gwen Tennille (Artist and Author)

Tom Hutchison (Artist and Author)

Richard Mickelson

Kenneth L. Doane II

The highlight of Saturday was the parade, which Amanda participated in for the first time. I'm so proud of how well she did.

 

 

 Overall, it was a great day and sales were good. Unfortunately, Sunday was a wash-out with rain all day, which required relocating the farewell ceremonies to the church basement.

John Fricke, two-time Emmy Award-winning producer/writer; a Grammy Award nominee, was the host and did so admirably. He is such a special guy and Amanda and I are proud to count him among our friends. I know of no one who loves Oz more than him. I wish the Grand Marshall of the Parade and Special Guest, Bronson Pinchot could have made, but alas... not to be. 

Overall, it was a fantastic festival, despite the rain-out, which usually happens about every other year or so. Special kudos and congratulations go out to Marc Baum, Colleen Hummell Zimmer, Lynne Bunce, Mark Sample, and so many others who go far above the call of duty to ensure a successful festival. I know I've missed someone, but I hope they understand. It was a fun time and we hope to return next year.

Totus vos postulo est Amor!