Cosmo Kramer

My room is confirmed at Alcoa and Banner Elk, looking forward to this trip for sure!

DR

We just got back from meetings with the City (and others).... I had a feeling when we saw some big posters already up on the walls in City Hall (see below), that things were going to go great! We got everything we asked for and more!

The deal is done, details coming soon!

Cut them some slack on the event name (already being corrected), it was the effort and thought that counts...

M. Requin

Great job guys, knew it had to be that, but the icing on the cake is the welcoming attitude of the Beech Mountain folks!

Marine Blue

I have to agree, having local cooperation can make all the difference with events like this. It makes planning a pleasure rather than a chore. Nice work!

Can't wait to finally make it to one of these!

AO

Dave and Jeannie-

YOU GUYS ROCK!

Had a vivid dream about Jeannie the other night... wish I could have it again!

DR

Thanks!! "Welcoming" is an understatement!! There is so much my head is spinning, even little things like offering free Kites for the kids and blocking off a mutli-acre field beside the event (but far enough away from the cars) for them to fly kites etc.

The one thing I wanted the worst and lobbied hard for was to get the owners to open up the old Land Of OZ theme park for a special Private Tour just for us. After it closed to the public in 1980 there was a fire later on and lots of vandalism/theft from the park over the decades and it has been on strict "lock down" ever since. Not even the City officials can get in! It hasn't been open to the public since then except for one weekend a year for the past few years for a Restoration Benefit Party to raise funds to try keep it from deteriorating even more. The area has been slowly trying to recover items taken (almost all the yellow bricks were stolen as "souvenirs") and restore it the best they can. OZ will never be open to the public again like it was, but it is a special place, sure a little "hokey" (it ain't no Disney World :-), but more like a historical tour of days gone by. Now that the gardens and landscape have matured over time it is really a beautiful and fun place just to walk through. I had originally asked for just a simple walk through, no need to clean the place up or mow the grass, etc. Just a neat walk through the old park.

...AND not only did they AGREE to give us a special Private Tour :-)..but said they would get it all spiffed up for us, offered to have Dorothy there to guide us, open up Dorothy's house, put us in the cellar and fire up the old "Cyclone" effects for us. They also offered costumes of the other OZ characters for those that want to volunteer (hint, hint). Plus a tour of the "mini-museum" that had a lot of the original costumes and props used in the movie (not sure how many are left) and pretty sure they even still have Dorothy's original dress from the movie.

The city has offered a "Hay-ride" for us from Main Street up to the top of the mountain to the park (a mile ride, or you can walk). All the owners asked for was a small per person donation to the restoration of the park, probably be $10 or so for the adults. Not only will this be an absolute blast for the kids, but I think it will be great fun for the big kids too! Personally I can't wait!!!

Here are a few links to some info about the old Land Of OZ park, be sure to check out the Archival photos links on that page

http://www.emeraldmtn.com/LandofOz/landofoz.html

http://www.emeraldmtn.com/Gallery/oz...zwebe/oze.html

Here is a copy of an old article written in 1971 about OZ.

ew928

We're not in Kansas no more, Thor.

Do they sell 'restoration' bricks on the yellow brick road.
Central Park raises maintenance money by selling bricks and putting the names of donors on the bricks.



(Think someone "Dreamed of Jeannie")

DR

Oh, did I mention Beer and Wine will be "legal" at the Main Day Event this year (limited hours), even on the streets as long as we act RESPONSIBLE :-)

LandShark will for sure be there

DR

They are the opposite with the bricks, they want them back (no questions asked) and it you can find and bring one you get in free!! Keep an eye on Ebay.

But it is a good idea to make new ones with names for a fee... I will pass that along!!


No doubt, Andrew is the reason I have to keep a password on the pics in my phone :-)

DR

HILARIOUS!!! In all the excitement I just now noticed the spelling of "Porche" on the poster!!

AO

Hey, you plant the seeds... I just harvest them.




(Family event! Family event! I keep telling myself, it's a family event.)

ew928

Is that thar a back Porche or a front Porche.
Who's bringing the rocking chair.

DR

FYI, only 16 Rooms left at the Best Western.... don't delay!!!!

Call (828) 898-4571 directly for "Sharks Rate", if you call the 800 number you may not get the discount.

Rick3452

I want to leave now, great job you two!!

Steve Martin

This is my first trip there. I was so excited to go to SITM. Now I can't wait, I think I'll leave this Saturday.......LOL