Across Indiana
Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival
Clip | 6m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
A vintage look back the the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival
The Wizard of Oz is well known as an all-American fairytale. You might think of Kansas when you’re reminded of the wonderful world of Oz, and you definitely wouldn’t think of Indiana. However, that isn’t the case for the locals of Chesterton, Indiana, who still remember the days when not just one Dorothy, but many, walked their streets along with other characters from the story.
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Across Indiana is a local public television program presented by WFYI
Across Indiana
Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival
Clip | 6m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
The Wizard of Oz is well known as an all-American fairytale. You might think of Kansas when you’re reminded of the wonderful world of Oz, and you definitely wouldn’t think of Indiana. However, that isn’t the case for the locals of Chesterton, Indiana, who still remember the days when not just one Dorothy, but many, walked their streets along with other characters from the story.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipIt's probably th most beloved movie of all times.
From the cyclone in Kansas to Dorothy's arrival in Munchkinland to her fina departure from the Emerald City, The Wizard of Oz has become the favorite story for American children for over 90 years.
Written by L. Frank Baum, a man at nearly everything he tried, The Wizard of Oz has made it to the motion picture screen several time over the years, including a 1925 silent version that featured Oliver Hardy as the Tin Man.
Without Stan Laurel.
But it's the 1939 Judy Garland version that has inspired the greatest devotion to the point that every October, the small town of Chesterton, near the Indiana Dunes, transforms itself into a safe haven for the denizens of Oz and their fans alike.
This is the Wizard of Oz Festival, complete with a parade, bands, beauty Queens and Oz wannabes.
There are also booths and crafts and souvenirs.
As the streets of Chesterto are filled with happy visitors, all watched over by a flying monkey.
It's...it's phenomenal.
We have people from England that are here from, well, I've met people from Australia, Toronto, Canada, California, New York, Florida, Texas.
They come from all over.
It's just so exciting.
I know all the words.
I have all the books, all the autographs.
We sign our pants, we just go nuts.
This is a natural high if there ever was one.
But despite the popularity of the book and the movie and the enthusiasm of their followers, you still have to wonder what's the connection between The Wizard of Oz and Chesterton, Indiana?
Gene Nelson.
Gene Nelson is the connection.
When she started this, and I'm no going to say the number of years because it's I believe it's 11.
It might be 12.
She did it because everybody was laid off from the mills.
People were broke.
She had a yellow brick road shop and she thought, why not a festival?
And she just absolutely has grown and blossomed and grow and grown and grown with this, she is the mainstay of the Wizard of Oz.
You want to know the truth?
I named the store The Yellow Brick Road, and that took on a life of its own.
I had no ide when I gave the store that name that this was going to happen.
It just started to grow.
The atmosphere in the are was very depressed, very scary.
And we just came up with an idea to get people out to have fun for one day.
So four other stores and myself, got together and planned some events and contests and, some unusual things.
We had a horse club come into town with painted horses, you know, “horse of a different color”.
And that one day I, we counted a thousand people who came for that one event.
And people really enjoyed themselves.
So we decided if that was that much fun, we do it again the next year.
But each year it just kept getting bigger and bigger.
And we added two days.
We added a parade.
Now we're up to three days.
And, I had no ide I was going to be entertaining actual movie stars from the movie, or talking on the phone to Ray Bolger or having Margaret Hamilton visit us, even getting letters from Mickey Rooney.
I had absolutely no idea this was going to happen.
It's just been wonderful.
One of the biggest draws each year at the festival are the munchkins.
Yes, that's right.
These are some of the original little people chosen to play the residents of Munchkinland over 50 years ago.
Today, only about a dozen remain from the 124 hired for the film in 1939.
We were playing the Bond Hotel in Hartford, Connecticut.
And some gentleman came backstage.
Just say, you know, we're going to make a movie in Hollywood need about five little guys who can sing and dance.
And I seen the act, and I know you can sing and dance.
So uh he sai would you mind?
Be happy till.
You kidding?
I was only 17.
I was ready to go.
Americas famous fairy tale.
There's no place like home.
That was the whole gist of the thing.
And it was written so easily and pleasantly that everybody could understand it and follow it.
It was jus a great American Midwest story.
That's why we're so big in the in Chesterton.
The greatest people in the world are from Chesterton, Indiana.
I wish I knew the lyrics to the song “Back Home Again in Indiana”.
I don't know the other words, but it's a great place.
But what is the appea about this film that an entire community dedicates itself to it each fall?
What's that great hidden message inside this MGM musical that can inspire such loyalty?
It's more than a children's book.
It's over the rainbow.
It's just over the rainbow.
It's happiness.
It's love.
It's kindness.
And there's a lot to be sai for the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion.
Everyone has their own idea about why this has become such a classic.
I think with me, it ha a lot of old fashioned virtues.
You know, home is a very important.
Brains, courage, knowledge.
It's an all American, fairy tale.
The Wizard of Oz festival usually takes plac the last weekend in September.
Call for us to check the exact date and call early if you're looking for a place to stay.
The local motels and inns can be booked up months in advance.
And when you do go, feel free to wear your ruby slippers or your favorite tin suit.
In fact be sure to bring all your dreams as well as your family and friends.
Toto too?
Toto too!
Yes, Toto too because for a few short days, if you're lucky, you'll find the yellow brick road to Oz passes through Indiana.
For more Across Indiana stories, go to wfyi.org/acrossindiana
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Clip | 6m 32s | A vintage look back the the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival (6m 32s)
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