Oz Fest, Wamego, October (Park: for sale, theater, high school)

[AnywhereElse]

We are thinking about going up to the Oz Fest in Wamego the first weekend of October. They will have at least one Munchkin there. Has anyone been to one of these deals? I am wondering if it would be worth the drive and also, how is the museum there. I am guessing this is all very typical small town festival for Kansas? Any hints might save us some disappointment or add to our fun. Thanks

[Samantha S]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

We are thinking about going up to the Oz Fest in Wamego the first weekend of October. They will have at least one Munchkin there. Has anyone been to one of these deals? I am wondering if it would be worth the drive and also, how is the museum there. I am guessing this is all very typical small town festival for Kansas? Any hints might save us some disappointment or add to our fun. Thanks

We drive the I70 stretch out to Western KS several times a year. Every time we'd pass the signs for the OZ museum we'd say how we wanted to stop there sometime, but we never did, we were always in a hurry to get there or here.

Then about a year or so ago, I was with my kids and we weren't in a hurry! So we pulled off the road to go check it out.

I was pleasantly surprised. I knew Wamego was a cute little town, but I didn't expect much from the museum. It was actually pretty cool! They had more stuff to see than I expected, a nice gift shop. IIRC, they did charge a small fee to tour the museum, that may be waived for the Ozfest.

Not many restaurants there, we ate the little Mexican place, it was good. Then there was a KS wine shop that was worth the stop.

All in all, I thought it was worth the effort to check it out. If you are a fan of the movie/books/musicals, etc. it will make for a nice afternoon.

[KSUgrad]

Mark your calendars for the 2009 OZtoberFest! This year's festival will be held Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4 in Wamego, Kansas.

-Meet the original Wizard of OZ Munchkins!
-Enjoy book signings by Wizard of OZ authors!
-Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
- Sample beer from Tallgrass Brewery
- Visit Food & Craft Vendors
- Eat Turkey Legs
- Taste Win from the OZ Winery and Vin Vivante
- Tour the OZ Museum
- Watch a live production of the Wizard of OZ Musical at the Columbian Theatre
- Listing to live entertainment
- Participate in children's activities

Friday, October 2
7:00 pm - Wizard of Oz production, Columbian Theatre

Saturday, October 3
7:00 AM –8:30AM: Yellow Brick Road Ride Registration, Wamego High School (WAM-SAG-MAN Trail)
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM(?): Information Kiosk, Lincoln Street
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Car Show Registration, City Park
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Vendor Booths Open, Lincoln Street
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Oz Museum Opens
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Entertainment Stage, Lincoln Street
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Red Carpet, Lincoln Street
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Car Show, Lincoln Street
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Munchkinland
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Roger Baum, Oz Museum
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Autograph Session with Munchkins and Steven Cox, Columbian Theater
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: John Fricke, Columbian Gallery
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Robert and Claire Baum, Columbian Gallery
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Michael Siewert, Columbian Theater
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Paul Schneider and Grant Hadermenzies, Columbian Gallery
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: John Paul, Oz Museum
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Autograph Session with Munchkins and Steven Cox, Columbian Theater (Tentative)
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: John Fricke, Oz Museum
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Balloon Rides, Lincoln Street
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner, Columbian Gallery
7:00 PM: Wizard of Oz Production, Columbian Theater

Sunday, October 4
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Brunch, Oz Museum
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Street Stage, Lincoln Street
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Munchkinland
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Street Vendors, Lincoln Street
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Oz Museum Open
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Roger Baum, Oz Museum
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Autograph Session with Munchkins and Steven Cox, Columbian Theater
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Evan Schwartz, Columbian Gallery
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Michael Siewert, Oz Museum
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Roger Baum, Columbian Theater
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Eric and Scotty, Columbian Gallery
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: John Paul, Oz Museum
4:00 PM: Wizard of Oz Stage Production, Columbian Theater

[SmalltownKSgirl]

We went to Wamego and the Oz Museum today! We thought it was great! They have a LOT of stuff from the movie and even more stuff Oz related that is not from the movie. The Broadway play Wicked is even represented! Displays are well done and very professional. Cost is modest.

We went to Toto's Tacoz afterward - the food is GREAT and they have healthy eating options, if you are interested in that. We also took a stroll around the downtown - there are two wineries which offer tastings. We brought wine home! It would be nice if there were more quaint shops, like in Weston, but we enjoyed what was there.

We also went to the Old Dutch Mill & Museum. We enjoyed that too, it has some charm, but is nowhere near as professional in presentation as the Oz Museum though it is about the same price. We go to a lot of small town museums and sometimes they are almost indistinguishable from an antique mall except that nothing is for sale. This one is about like that. They have some free standing buildings that are pretty neat though - a prison, school, general store, log cabin. They will take you on a tour of them as well as inside the mill. They sure are enthusiastic about it though, and that counts for something!

We at dinner in Wamego at Imperial Palace, a Chinese buffet. It was excellent!

Have you spent time in Wamego? What did you like? What did you see that I missed? Thanks!