Monday, April 13, 2015

April 2015 - Wizard of Oz Festival - SURPRISE GUEST!

Hello Everyone!

With the 2015 Wizard of Oz Festival only two months away, it’s time to get some news out!


EXCITING NEWS for THIS YEAR'S
 "WIZARD OF OZ" FESTIVAL
At The JUDY GARLAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM!


The Judy Garland Museum is proud to announce that this year we will have a very special guest attending the Festival -- HAMILTON MESERVE -- son of MGM's legendary "Wicked Witch of the West," MARGARET HAMILTON.

Margaret Hamilton with some young fans.
Taken during her visit to Grand Rapids, 1979
Thirty six years ago this summer, when Margaret Hamilton was the first celebrity guest to attend the Judy Garland Festival, and the first cast member of The Wizard of Oz cast to visit Grand Rapids. This year will be Hamilton Meserve’s first trip to Grand Rapids, and we're delighted to welcome him. “

On the evening of Saturday, June 13th (time still to be set) HAMILTON MESERVE will entertain us with his enthralling talk, "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM: TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW." This June, you will have the chance to hear some first-hand stories from the Wicked Witch of the West’s son. Ham” was a child when Margaret Hamilton filmed THE WIZARD OF OZ, but his memories encompass those days as well as events across the many ensuing decades he shared with his mother.  This will be a great event for all who love this classic motion picture.

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 A little about Hamilton Meserve:

“Ham” is retired and lives in Maine with Helen, his wife of fifty-four years. He's enjoyed a happily diverse career, working in international banking in the 1960s and 1970s (opening countries in Asia and the Middle East for Citibank); owning -- with Helen -- seven community newspapers in New York's Hudson Valley from the 1980s to the 1990s; and partnering -- again with his wife -- in Running Battle Antiques, in which they've done up to twenty-five national shows a year from the 1990s to 2006.

Ham is currently a County Commissioner in Lincoln County, Maine, as well as president of Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club, and Treasurer of The Boothbay Region Land Trust and The Friends of the Harbor Theatre. The latter organization is committed to keeping that cinema open.

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Don't miss Hamiton Meserve’s fascinating presentation, "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM," on Saturday evening, June 13th, to be followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience. Margaret Hamilton’s performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” has thrilled and frightened fans of all ages for over seventy-five years. This is a rare opportunity to meet and hear from one of the genuine members of "The Second Generation of Oz."

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YOUTH SINGING CONTEST

The Judy Garland Museum annonunced today that there will be a Judy Garland Youth Singing Contest during the Festival on Saturday, June 13th in the afternoon (time to be announced).  To take part, contestants must be between the ages of six through eighteen. The First Prize will be a scholarship.

Last week, The Reif Center broke ground for a $9 million renovation. Because of this, the museum decided to scale back our yearly talent contest and focus just on singing. The Youth Singing Contest will take place in the Art Room at the Children’s Discovery Museum. We expect to make a few changes in the next month, in order to make the room more event-friendly. Meanwhile, you can ask for further information on the contest at The Judy Garland Museum in the next week.


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MORE ABOUT THE WIZARD OF OZ FESTIVAL

In the following weeks, we will focus on each of our special guests and events. Meanwhile, here is a general schedule of what to expect. A new schedule with set times will be put out out in the next two weeks.



2015 Wizard of Oz Festival


Wednesday, Jun 10th – Judy Garland’s Birthday
-       Cupcakes and Free Admission


Thursday, June 11th – Opening of Festival  
     Evening events:
  – Musical Piano Concert Celebration of Judy Garland’s Career – Josh Gallagher
  – Author Joan Beck Coulson – “Always for Judy” – will speak about meeting Judy and seeing her in concert


Friday, June 12th – First Day of Activities
2:00 – 4:00 – Outdoor Gale Farm Fair – Lots of animals and food!
4:00 – 5:00 – Oz Character Contest – More information soon!
5:30 – 7:30 – Outdoor Picnic – BBQ – Music! Come and have fun before the film!
9:00 – 10:30 – JUMBO SCREEN outdoor The Wizard of Oz showing - Evergreen Terrace

-          Fun Facts about Oz” FREE TALK – great for kids - with an anti-bullying theme – John Fricke
-          Judy in Concert – talk and film clips – John Fricke
-          Book Signing - Joan Beck Coulson – Always for Judy
-          Book Signing – Michelle Moran – Stealing the Ruby Slippers


Saturday, June 13th, 2015
11:00  - 2:00 Old Central School House – Emerald City Fest – Horse & Carriage Rides, Face Painting, Hair Braiding, Tattoos, Glinda’s Bubbles, Games etc.

-     SINGING TALENT CONTEST in the art room at the Museum – Must apply in advance
-          Wizard of Oz Jeopardy
-           OZ PRESENTATION 1- “The Oz that Almost “ – with film clips – John Fricke
-           OZ PRESENTATION 2 – “Away from the Yellow Brick Road” – film clips -  John Fricke
-          Judy and Chuck Walters” – Author Brent Philips talks about his new book on famed    award-winning choreographer and director, Chuck Walters. Film Clips included!
-          Brent Phillips Book Signing
-           "OZ, THE WITCH, AND MOM" -  HAMILTON MESERVE, son of Margaret Hamilton,   Wicked Witch of the West


Sunday, June14th – 9:30 am Farewell Breakfast

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EASTER PARTY AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM


Two weeks ago, the museum hosted an Easter party for Member families of the museum. The art room was beautifully decorated for the children who arrived excited for the Easter Egg Hunt. One hunt was available for children five and under and another for children six and above. It didn’t take them long to find all the eggs!

In the art room, snacks were available. There were also a number of crafts for young people to make, including purses, Easter bonnets and napkin holders. A good time was had all!

Debbie Sias, one of the CDM Teachers waiting
with the Easter Bunny to greet the kids.
Buy you membership today and take advantage of the fun you can have. A complete year of visits, free, 10% off all gifts and special parties.

 Be sure to check the times of the Festival events! We will be back in two weeks with more information about this year’s wonderful new Wizard of Oz Festival!



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