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Thursday, October 9, 2014

The Land of Oz

 
Now, I am as big of a fan of Wizard of Oz as any straight man is allowed to be.  No matter how old I get, I can sit down and watch that movie all the way through and probably quote every line.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when I found out that there was a Wizard of Oz themed amusement park in North Carolina.

And then, you can probably imagine how disappointed I was when I found out it closed in 1980.

But then, you can imagine how excited I was when I found out that they actually open the park up for one weekend every year.

The Land of Oz existed from 1970-1980 and was insanely popular at the time of its opening.  Sadly, the park had a very quick decline, possibly by due to the fact that it is located in the absolute middle of nowhere in the tiny mountain town of Beech Mountain, NC.   The attraction is still technically there, but had been converted into a mountaintop sub-division.  You can actually rent out Dorothy's house for the weekend.  The property is still circled by the yellow brick road.

In 2008 we decided to check it out.  After driving hours through narrow mountain passes we finally arrived to find about a million and a half people waiting to visit the Land of Oz.



You see, while building theme parks on top of mountains was all the rage back in the day, it presents some logistical problems.  Like, how do you get all these people to the top?

After waiting for a good deal of time in line, our chariot arrived....


To bad they didn't have these scary Ski Lifts working.


At the top you are met by citizens of the Emerald City, who instruct you to get in line.


The Land of Oz is not exactly a traditional amusement park.  The original park only included one ride:  a sky lift style hot air balloon ride.  Unfortunately, it is no longer in operation.  Also, the show and shopping areas were destroyed in a fire.  The original park can be seen in this map I purchased at the festival (which now hangs on my office wall).


The Land of Oz is essentially a long decorative pathway with a series of meet-and-greets with Oz's characters.  The first being, the lovely Dorothy.


After meeting with Dorothy we head into her family farm, where costume characters such as this Miss Gulch pose for pictures........


There is also bluegrass music being played, as is the custom for every southern event.

There is a barn containing some surprisingly valuable artifacts of American Cinema.....




As well as some artifacts from the old park.....




You start your journey into the Land of Oz by entering Dorothy's house, seen here behind another Miss Gulch.


You walk into Dorothy's quaint little home, which appears to be your average ordinary farm house.  Then you walk down to the storm cellar and into the "Tornado Room".


The room is full of black light murals, strobe lights and tornadic sound effects.  Also, there is this horrifying effigy of Miss Gulch.


After emerging from the Tornado Room you find the same cottage you had walked through before, but it they are now in disarray from being in the Tornado.



Stepping out of Dorothy's house you are greeted by the iconic legs of the Wicked Witch of the East.....


This is accompanied by the Munchkin Coroner singing his famous song....


Now, we begin our trek down the Yellow Brick Road.
The trail is decorated with some fiberglass mushrooms.....


Some munchkin homes.....


And some super creepy faces affixed to actual trees.......







How would you like it if someone came and picked something off of you?

By the way, let's see how the trees appear on the map.....


You start walk along the yellow brick road and meet up with the iconic characters, such as Professor Marvel (who technically should not be in Oz)....


The Scarecrow......


The Tin Man.....


And the Cowardly Lion.....


One thing that always bothered me about the movie: The Scarecrow had no brains, yet he didn't need them because he was the smartest, The Tin Man had no heart, yet he didn't need it because he was the most passionate and loyal.  However, the Cowardly Lion didn't have any courage....and he really didn't:  He was afraid of everything and never showed any bravery.

That takes us to Glenda the Good Witch.  Here she is posing, with what appears to be Jerry Garcia.


Funny thing about Jerry there.  Ever sense we saw him here at the Land of Oz and stole this photo of him, he mysteriously has appeared and virtually every event we attend in the region.  We have spotted him at the Asheville Drum Circle, The Burlesque Festival and the Mardi Gras Parade.

After braving Flying Monkeys.....


And chanting Winkie guards.....

Oh-E-Oh-Yo-Ho
The yellow brick road eventually took us to the dreaded Witches Castle.....

 

Where the Wicked Witch of the West puts in an appearance......

 
And does what she does best:  Terrify children.


Your journey finally takes you to the grand finale:  Oz, the Great and Powerful.  Portrayed by a giant fiberglass head.


Just make sure to pay not attention to the man behind the curtain.


Then of course you get a chance to get your photo taken with the whole crew.


Now, let's end things proper, with this amazing clip of the ORIGINAL 1910 film, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 


The Carpetbagger

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