Judy Garland Letter from Home - Children's Oz Fest & Grand Rapids News

Happy spring! It’s finally warming up and now there’s only ONE MONTH until our first of two June Festivals. It’s time to get the news out to you.

In addition, of late Grand Rapids is bustling with activity, so we thought we’d catch up with some of the news for when you come to town.

This issue contains:

·           *  Fundraiser to Preserve the Judy Garland House

·            * The Children’s Wizard of Oz Festival

·           * The Sawmill Lot

·          *  New Brew Pub Next to the Former Grand

·          *  Grand Rapids Mall

·          *  The Judy Garland Festival

Fundraiser to Preserve the Judy Garland House

Storm window in need of replacing

Our fundraiser on the GoFundMe page continues. Recently we did some research on costs. The replacement of storm windows will cost between $150 and $300 per window. As of now we have raised $437 on the GoFundMe page. Other funds may be coming in the form of checks. During the next month we will continue to advertise our fundraising efforts. Please spread the word.

https://www.gofundme.com/zqfgx-a-cause-i-care-about-needs-help/?viewcontent=201467610&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n

The Children’s Wizard of Oz Festival

The Children’s Wizard of Oz Festival is slated for Friday, June 7^th from 5:30 –  8:30pm and Saturday, June 8^th, 2019 from 10:30 am – 8:30 pm.

Please note: Some of these events are taking place at different locations.

Friday, June 7, 2019

The Reif Center, 720 NW Conifer Drive, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

5:30pm – 6:50 pm - Wash N Brush Up Salon

Get “gussied up” for The Wizard of Oz play – with face painting, hair braiding & Oz glitter tattoos. For TICKET HOLDERS ONLY.

7:00 – 8:30 - The Wizard of Oz Young Performers Edition  

See The Wizard of Oz play LIVE – performed by Young at Art students! Last year’s shows got rave reviews. This year they will be performed on the big stage! Don't miss it!

Saturday, June 8, 2019

10:30 am - Grand Rapids Public Library – FREE!

Join the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion for a reading of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” from the Commemorative Pop-Up Book! Lots of fun and laughs!

Judy Garland/Children’s Discovery Museum

11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Kids Activity Day

Lots of fun things to do...
Games & Crafts! 
Take you picture with Oz characters!

Visit the garden turned into The Land of Oz!

2:00 pm – SHOWING of the Classic Movie - “The Wizard of Oz” staring Judy Garland

Art Room – Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy.

FREE popcorn and lemonade!

The Reif Center (same as Friday)
5:30pm – 6:50 pm - Wash N Brush Up Salon

Get “gussied up” for The Wizard of Oz play – with face painting, hair braiding & Oz glitter tattoos. For TICKET HOLDERS ONLY.

7:00 – 8:30 - The Wizard of Oz Young Performers Edition  

See The Wizard of Oz play LIVE – performed by Young at Art students! Last year’s shows got rave reviews. This year the performances will take place on the big stage! Don't miss it!

 For further information, please visit the Children's Discovery Museum site. 

http://www.cdmkids.org/wizard_of_oz_festival.html

The Sawmill Lot

April saw the razing of the old Sawmill Hotel and Restaurant and the clearing of all, including the historic sign.  It appears that in the next few weeks they may start building. We expect by the end of June, passersby may get some glimpse of the front layout. Now there is simply a curved green hill.

First building down-
the original New Grand

The New Brew Pub by the Former New Grand

As many of you know, two years ago there was quite a stir when it was announced that some of the buildings   and site of Judy Garland, aka Baby Gumm’s stage debut in 1924).

In 1931, the New Grand – then considered too small and old for the area – was closed and the new Rialto Theatre next door opened. Since that time, the New Grand has been used as an office building. The Rialto stopped showing movies some the 1980s.

In 1938, when Judy and her mother Ethel Gumm came to town, Judy appeared on the Rialto stage and spoke to the locals. MGM would not allow her to sing at that time.

The old Rialto Theatre - soon to be the Rapids Brew Pub
will have a side entrance and outdoor summer seating.

There will also be a back entry
off the parking lot. See the
former New Grand to the left.

With three buildings torn down to make way for new brew pub, in the last months the theater has been secured and sealed on Pokegama Avenue. A new entry with overhang has been built as a side entrance into the theatre which will now serve as a dining room and bar.

The back of the building will have a kitchen with pizza ovens and an additional entrance. We are told that inside there is an older mural of Marilyn Monroe which is being restored and preserved. In the area between the theatre site and the Pokegama Hotel (now apartments and Saw Florist), there will be outdoor seating.

It should be a very nice place which some historic significance preserved for atmosphere.

The Grand Rapids Mall

The Central Square Mall, opposite the Old Central School, has recently undergone a revitalization with some shops that may be of interest to our visitors.

The book/gift store is always good to explore. Clara’s Cupboard has recently relocated to the mall. Clara’s is an antique store with a wide variety of unique items. Recently, we were informed by a visitor that they found some rare movie collectibles there, so be sure to explore it.

Another new addition you won’t want to miss is Sweet Amelia’s Cupcakery. Local business owner has shops in a number of locations but recently decided she’d like to have a shop close to home.

The Mall, which was nearly empty, is now nearly full, so there should be plenty of unique places to explore in between spending time at the Judy Garland Museum!

In addition, we just receive news that the old K-Mart building on Pokegama Avenue is being torn down, so who knows what other surprising stores may pop up in our area!

Judy Garland Festival Coming Up

Just a reminder – the Judy Garland Festival will take place this year from Thursday, June 20 thru Saturday, June 22, 2019.

The schedule is posted on previous Letters from Home as well as the Judy Garland Museum site where you can purchase tickets. http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com  You may also purchase tickets over the phone: 218-326-1900 or by mail: Judy Garland Museum, P.O. Box 724, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

We’ll see you soon!

Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Judy in Easter Parade