Spring is finally here and there are only a few weeks until the Judy Garland-Wizard of Oz Festival. So without further ado, here’s all the news from “the Emerald City!”
THE
YELLOW BRICK ROAD
Last
week the entrance to the Judy Garland and Children’s Discovery
Museum received a makeover—a real
Yellow
Brick Road. We just can’t wait for you to see it!
Although the cut-off to have a brick engraved before the Festival was May 16th, you may still purchase a brick. It will be engraved after June 15th - but will be there forever! Please contact us via phone (218) 327- 9276 or by email jgarland@uslink.com
Gems
of Itasca Premiere -
Showcases the Judy Garland Museum
This
Wednesday, May 21st
an exciting event will take place at the Timberlake Lodge in Grand
Rapids. A+B Productions will premiere their new documentary film
about Itasca County, Gems
of Itasca.
This
Wednesday, May 21st
an exciting event will take place at the Timberlake Lodge in Grand
Rapids. A+B Productions will premiere their new documentary film
about Itasca County, Gems
of Itasca.
Many of you may recall a year ago seeing Alisi Styles and Benjamin Braff with their company, A+B Productions, filming events at the Judy Garland
Festival. In addition to the Judy Garland Museum and
Festival, A+B Productions covered stories on the Melodie Mississippi
Showboat, Bovey, local cuisine and the Deer River Rice Festival.
Beginning
on May 29th,
the film, which is in 8 minute segments, will be uploaded over an eight week period on the Gems
of Itasca U-Tube Channel. We'll let you know more about this exciting documentary in our coming
newsletters.
To
read more about Gems of Itasca, please visit last week's article in the Grand Rapids Herald
Review:
IMPORTANT
NOTE
FESTIVAL BANQUETS & BREAKFAST
If you plan to attend a Festival Breakfast or Dinner, please make sure you buy your tickets immediately! This year
your tickets for meal events MUST BE PURCHASED BY JUNE 5th.
The Museum has to give a head count for meals to the Sawmill, so again, if you plan to
attend one of these events and you have not purchased your ticket
yet, please do so.
Tickets
may easily be purchased by going to our site:
http://www.JudyGarlandMuseum.com
Tickets may be paid for via Paypal.
WELCOME
BREAKFAST – EXCITING NEWS
"WHO STOLE THE RUBY SLIPPERS?"
The
Welcome Breakfast on Wednesday, June 11th has been changed slightly, but we
think the change is going to be even more exciting for attendees. Originally, the detectives working on the case involving the stolen Ruby Slippers were set to speak, however, we have received word that the investigation has reached a critical point and, in order not to jeopardize the case, they will be unable to give the talk originally planned.
Meanwhile,
film makers Theodore James and Chris Westlund of Los Angeles, California contacted the museum
about their new documentary film, Who
Stole the Ruby Slippers?
In fact, early last week, the pair flew in from Los Angeles to interview various persons and film around town. So, as of now, those attending the Wednesday
Welcome Breakfast, will have the honor of getting to see a
rough cut of this new film! It should be really exciting and especially interesting for Garland and Wizard of Oz fans.
WEDNESDAY
NIGHT – MYSTERY DINNER
Wednesday
night, June 11th, The Wizard of Oz Festival is hosting a mystery dinner at the
Sawmill. Although most mystery dinners involve murder, but we’re keeping ours murder free! We think it will be an evening that everyone can enjoy.
Set
in a film noir style, the "Great Oz" has become a detective and, Dorothy seeks him out to help her find those precious Ruby Slippers,
which are have mysteriously disappeared. Oz sets out to interview the suspects. There’s the
Scarecrow, who is now a lawyer, the Tin Man, who has become a mechanic and the Cowardly
Lion, who after taking up boxing for a time, retired and has somehow gotten mixed up with the mob. So the question is, who did it?
Written
by playwright Nathan Bergsted and starring members of the Uncommon
Loons Theater Company, we can’t imagine the outcome, but Wednesday
night promises to be a good time of good fun and laughter. The style of
menu will be in keeping with the theme. Cost of the meal and show is
$35.00 per person.
**GUINNESS
WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT**
SPREAD THE WORD!
 |
| Replica of Munchkin Margaret Pellegrini's costume in The Wizard of Oz |
There
is no way to tell how many people will show up on this date. It could
be a few hundred or a thousand. We are depending on every one to show
up as a character.
Just remember, Guinness states that you must be instantly recognizable" as a character from the 1939 film and dressed "from head to toe" as that character – not just in part.
Just remember, Guinness states that you must be instantly recognizable" as a character from the 1939 film and dressed "from head to toe" as that character – not just in part.
To be counted, visit us on Facebook, click Events and add your name to the list of people coming. Let’s keep the excitement growing.
For
more information on that day, June 13th,
2014, please read the next article.
DONATIONS
AVAILABLE
FOR CHARITIES PARTICIPATING IN GUINNESS
Last week we received some exciting news. In
order to help us break the Guinness World Record Attempt – and help local charities - an anonymous donor has come forward and offered
to donate money to charitable groups who send persons dressed for
this event.
Since this newsletter was first posted, new guidelines have been formulated to consider those applying for this donation. In part, we have learned that only organizations in the area will be considered. In addition, the organization must guarantee that a certain amount of persons will appear to be considered for this donation offer.
The Judy Garland Museum will have a number of costumes available for loan for groups participating in this offer. To find out more, please contact the Judy Garland Museum:
(218) 327- 9276.
Since this newsletter was first posted, new guidelines have been formulated to consider those applying for this donation. In part, we have learned that only organizations in the area will be considered. In addition, the organization must guarantee that a certain amount of persons will appear to be considered for this donation offer.
The Judy Garland Museum will have a number of costumes available for loan for groups participating in this offer. To find out more, please contact the Judy Garland Museum:
(218) 327- 9276.
MORE GUINNESS INFORMATION
What
to expect on Friday, June 13th. There will be a roped off area between the Judy Garland
Museum and the Zion Lutheran Church. As you enter, you will be
videotaped and received a wrist band with a number. Once everyone has
arrived and is inside the enclosure with wrist band, two arial
photos will be taken.
Following this event, you can go to dinner and then come
back to watch“The Wizard of Oz” on the lawn at dusk. Pizza, drinks
and souvenirs will be available!
PLEASE COME EARLY. The time set for the photo is around 5:30. We'd like to have this event completed not later than 6:00 pm. See
you there! (IN CASE OF RAIN - we will be meeting at the Civic Center.)
PARKING: Several businesses have donated space in their parking lots for this event: Zion Lutheran Church, just to the left of the Museum, the back parking lots of Walmart and Home Depot across the street from the Museum. In addition, there will be two small buses available to transport people across the street.
THE
WIZARD OF OZ YOUTH TALENT CONTEST
 |
| Julianne as Dorothy and Reed as Tin Man came out to the Fish Opener in freezing weather this June to advertise the Wizard of Oz Festival. |
There are still spots available for our Youth Talent Contest which takes place Saturday, June 14th
at the Reif Center. Prizes (including scholarship money) range between $1,000, $500 and $100.
One of the judges on this event is Judy Garland's son, Joe Luft.
It's not took late to apply, so please visit our website or call and get involved. This is a great opportunity. We want to see you!
Please visit our earlier newsletters for more information on this contest.
http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com
One of the judges on this event is Judy Garland's son, Joe Luft.
It's not took late to apply, so please visit our website or call and get involved. This is a great opportunity. We want to see you!
Please visit our earlier newsletters for more information on this contest.
http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com
New!
JUDY GARLAND – WIZARD OF OZ SHIRT
There will be a lot of surprises for our yearly Festival visitors. We can't reveal them all now, but one item is our new Wizard of Oz souvenir t-shirt, which comes in both white and green.
Youth sized shirts are $14.99 and come in sizes: XS, M and L. Adult shirts are $19.99 and come in sizes: Small thru 2XL.
Youth sized shirts are $14.99 and come in sizes: XS, M and L. Adult shirts are $19.99 and come in sizes: Small thru 2XL.
NEW EXHIBIT OPENS ON JUDY GARLAND'S BIRTHDAY, JUNE 10th
The
new Wizard of Oz Exhibit and the new Judy Garland Exhibit are both
being worked on with thousands of items not viewed before. Unpacking all these surprises has been a little like Christmas every day. The Wizard of Oz Exhibit, now titled, "Land of Oz," will be opened to the public for the first time on June 10th in the morning.
***
 |
| The amazing Land of Oz - Wizard of Oz Exhibit opens June 10th, Judy Garland's Birthday. |
Well, we must say goodbye for now. We hope you enjoyed all the news and hope to see you at the Festival. Good wishes until our next newsletter!
For further information, please visit the following:
Please visit our Facebook site and "Like!" Thank you!
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/judygarlandmuse
