Site of shuttered Wizard of Oz theme park that’s been closed since 1980 to host festival for film’s 85th anniversary

IF you happen to have a pair of ruby slippers lying around, it’s time to put them on and head to the Emerald City – or Land of Oz.

Though the theme park has been closed since 1980, the site hosts an annual festival and this year they’ll be celebrating the 85th anniversary of the popular film – after all, there’s no place like home .

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Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, Land of Oz first invited guests to experience their own journey along the yellow brick road when it opened in 1970.

And no, it’s not in Kansas.

The park, which wound up shuttering its doors ten years later, in 1980, is located in Beech Mountain, North Carolina.

It also faced some ups and downs during its decade run.

THEME PARK FLASHBACK

After being named the top tourist attraction in its inaugural year, a gas crisis would eventually affect ticket sales, followed by a fire in 1975 that led to financial ruin, according to their website .

Still, a new “wizard” took over Oz — or TriSouth of Atlanta, one of its original investors — allowing it to stay open for another five years.

It was also host to many famous faces, including the original Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger.

Upon reopening, the park offered new attractions, as well as a very special guide — Dorothy herself, who would walk guests through the park.

Over time, Land of Oz started to look “run down,” leading to a low attendance rate.

Though a revitalization plan was drawn up, to the tune of $3 million, plans of a final closure were announced.

DEMOLISHED-ISH

After 1980, the original owners of the Land of Oz swooped in and planned to build a gated community around the remnants of the park.

While some parts were demolished, the most distinguishable aspects, including the yellow brick road and Gale farmhouse, were preserved.

Though it was no longer accepting guests, the original employees, called the “Ozzies,” held a reunion where it all began back in 1988.

This inspired a one-day walkthrough of the park, where almost 4,000 people entered the gates.

Eventually, the idea for the Autumn at Oz festival was born so that others could also start reliving some of the movie’s magic once again.

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IT’S FESTIVAL SEASON

The first festival was held in September 1993 and is now an annual event.

This year is extra special, however, as they celebrate the 85th year since Judy Garland first traveled to the land of lions and witches.

Just click your heels three times and you might find yourself at the Autumn at Oz Festival, which offers arts and crafts, as well as food vendors, and plenty of film memorabilia.

It is now the largest Oz festival in the world.

During the festival, guests are treated to appearances by the film’s main characters, including the Wicked Witch and Tin Man, with costumes designed by Project Runway’s Austin Scarlett.

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Fans of the film will become immersed in the theatrical experience — get ready to go back to the Kansas farm, and even through the tornado that started it all.

The park might no longer feature the Emerald City or its famous balloon ride, but there is still plenty to enjoy.

The festival will take place over the course of three weekends in September, from 6 to 8, 13 to 15, and 20 through 22.

Tickets are available for $60.

All of the funds from the event, as well as other public events they sometimes hold, are used to help maintain the park.

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PRESERVING THE LEGACY

The family is thrilled to be able to “preserve the legacy,” of the film for future generations.

The land itself, complete with tall emerald grass and twisted trees, is what originally inspired the idea to build the park.

New music was even created to elevate the experience with an original twist.

Grover Robbins, who originally gave the go-ahead to open the Land of Oz, would wind up passing away shortly before the opening.

Actress Debbie Reynolds was present for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, with daughter Carrie Fisher in tow.

Reynolds co-owned most of the film costumes that were on display in the park’s intimate museum – the collection even included one of Judy Garland’s Dorothy dresses.

During the height of its success, the park welcomed over 450,000 visitors a season.

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