CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This week's "On The Road" takes us to Beech Mountain for the Autumn at Oz Festival which is the largest "Oz" festival in the world!
Joining us, as our guides: Sean Barrett, the Artistic Director and Riley Jenkins who plays Dorothy.
Described by festival organizers as a combination of your standard festival with arts & craft, handmade trinkets, memorabilia, & food vendors, it also includes a completely immersive theatrical experience where guests are engulfed into the classic story as you travel to the Gale Kansas Farm, through the tornado experience, and down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Along the way, you meet all of your favorite characters for photo opportunities, see many live performances, and can shop for your favorite Wizard of Oz Memorabilia.
“I started out as a character (Scarecrow) in the production” says Barrett. He adds “my fascination and tenure with the production led me to become Artistic Director. This year we are expecting over 24,000+ visitors to the park.”
When it comes to getting to "Oz," you have two options: Beech Mountain Resort's scenic lift ride or a shuttle. Then get ready... for the iconic adventure and experience of a lifetime. Your park admission ticket includes parking, shuttle to/from the park, meet-and-greets with all of the characters, all the live shows throughout the park, and Access to our Oz Gift Shop.
By the numbers to pull off the Land of Oz's "Autumn at Oz" production, it takes 65 actors a day, 155 employees, a team that does prep work for 2 months, 3 producers, and 10 management people. The Poppy fields alone take 5000 flowers to create. The characters are legendary and they come to life to entertain the crowds.
While at "Autumn at Oz" keep a lookout for the Wicked Witch and her monkeys, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion as they perform for you on your journey to meet the Wizard!
“I love my role as Dorothy“ says Jenkins. She tells us: “I have been fascinated with the Dorothy character since I was little and for Halloween I used to dress up as Dorothy from Oz.” One of the things she loves most is seeing how excited visitors get when they travel to "Oz" whether they are 8 or 80-years-old!
The music and dancing are magical, and costumes designed by Project Runway's Austin Scarlett add to the entire experience.
Channel you inner child and be sure to book your trip before the weekends sell out. "Autumn At Oz" is only open 3 weekends a year.
Here are the details:
Celebrating 85 Years of the MGM Classic!
September 2024
6th – 8th, 13th – 15th, 20th – 22nd