2024 Schedule of Events
WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR
Dear visitors and residents of the Village of Chittenango, it is with great pleasure and a sense of pride that I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to this year’s Oz-Stravaganza . Our lovely village is located in Madison County N.Y. and is the Southern part of the Town of Sullivan. Chittenango is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, who was the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I would like to personally thank all the supporters and volunteers who worked so hard to make the Oz-Stravaganza festival possible and we hope you enjoy three wonderful days. So, whether you seek courage, wisdom, or a path back home, know that the yellow brick road awaits your footsteps and will warm your heart. While you are here, Chittenango houses several places to dine and shop all within walking distance of the festival.
I hope you enjoy your time in the Village of Chittenango and create lasting memories.
—Louis Cianfrocco, Mayor, Village of Chittenango
Schedule of Events-May 31, 2024
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.—All Things Oz Museum Open, 219 Genesee Street, Chittenango. Admission is $9.00 per person, children ten and under are free. Guided tours 11:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. every hour on the hour. AAA Discounts. Blue Star Museum.
3:00–6:00 p.m.—Information Booth, (Sponsored by Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce). Oz-Stravaganza Park, information for Oz-Stravaganza! and the Chittenango area.
3:00–6:00 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop Open, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
OZ-STRAVAGANZA PARK
3:00–8:00 p.m.—Oz-Stravaganza Park Open. A fun filled day at Oz-Stravaganza!, rides, games, vendors/crafters, Oz souvenirs & memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Many children’s activities. Special Guests in Glinda’s Royal Tent.
3:00–5:00 p.m.—History Exhibit, (Sponsored by Madison Mutual Insurance). Glinda’s Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
SILENT AUCTION
3:00–7:00 p.m.—Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction, (Sponsored by Chittenango Rotary), Glinda’s Royal Tent located in Oz-Stravaganza Park. Includes Oz, Non-Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates & more.
4:00 p.m.—Amusement Rides open in Oz-Stravaganza Park. Ride specials available.
AUTOGRAPH WITH SPECIAL OZ GUESTS
3:30–5:00 p.m.—Autographs with Special Oz Guests, (Sponsored by Kudos Weightloss). Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
AUTHORS & ARTIST ALLEY
3:30–5:00 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, (Sponsored by Sun Chevrolet). Oz-Stravaganza Park.
FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM
6:00 p.m.—Friday Night OZ Program, First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St., Chittenango,
at Oz-Stravaganza Park grounds. (Sponsored by Koester Associates).
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6:00 p.m.: OZ: IMAGINATION & CREATION!
The first night of extraordinary presentations spans the arc of Oz activity, from the original books to the legendary 1939 (and now totally timeless) movie. Robert Welch shares behind-the-scenes film clips of the MGM special effects that have dazzled audiences for 85 (!) years—all of them masterworks of his grandfather, “Buddy” Gillespie. Also, Dr. Gita Dorothy Morena—great-granddaughter of “Royal Historian” L. Frank Baum—discusses the impact of his work on the Baum family and on her own career as a revered (and sometimes Ozzy!) psychoanalyst. Best-selling author and Emmy Award-winning producer John Fricke serves as emcee.
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FIREWORKS
Begins at Dusk—(Sponsored by The Village of Chittenango) The “Ozsome” Oz Fireworks, Community Recognition Park, Legion Drive, Chittenango.
Schedule of Events-Saturday, June 1, 2024
7:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.—Pancake Breakfast. First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St., Chittenango, at Oz-Stravaganza Park grounds.
10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.—A fun filled day at Oz-Stravaganza Park, rides, games, vendors/crafters, Oz souvenirs & memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Many children’s activities. Special Guests in Glinda’s Royal Tent.
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop Open, in Oz-Stravaganza Park.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.—All Things Oz Museum Open, 219 Genesee Street, Chittenango. Admission is $9.00 per person, children ten and under are free. Guided tours 11:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. every hour on the hour. AAA Discounts. Blue Star Museum.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.—Information Booth. (Sponsored by Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce). Information for Oz-Stravaganza! and the Chittenango Area, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
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KIDS MUNCHKIN MILE FUN RUN | TOTO TODDLER TROT
10:00 a.m—Kids’ Munchkin Mile Fun Run and Toto’s Toddler Trot (Sponsored by Chittenango Physical Therapy and Kinney Drugs Foundation)
Registration begins at 10:00 a.m at the Chittenango Fire Department (417 Genesee Street, next to the Oz-Stravaganza Park). Runs start at 11:00 a.m.
$12 pre-registration • $15 late/day of registration
Free t-shirts for the first 100 entries. All runners will receive a free amusement ride ticket.
Toto’s Toddler Trot begins at 11:00 a.m.
Ages 4 and under. This fun run/walk is approximately 1/4 mile long and will begin and end at the Chittenango Fire Department.
Munchkin Mile Run begins at 11:15 a.m.
Ages 12 and under. The race route is approximately 1 mile long and will begin and end at the Chittenango Fire Department.
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10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.—History Exhibit, (Sponsored by Madison Mutual Insurance). Glinda’s Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
AUTHORS & ARTIST ALLEY
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, (Sponsored by Sun Chevrolet). Oz-Stravaganza Park.
SILENT AUCTION
10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.—Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction (Sponsored by Chittenango Rotary) Glinda’s Royal Tent located in Oz-Stravaganza Park. Includes Oz, non-Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates & more.
MUMS THE MIME
11:00 a.m.—Mums the Mime, Performing on the Main Stage in Oz-Stravaganza Park. Will be at the Costume Contest at Noon.
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COSTUME CONTEST
11:45 a.m.—Costume Contest (Sponsored by Judy Fogus, in memory Leo Joseph, and Chittenango Self Storage). Open to all ages, get into character and join in the fun! Dress up like Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, The Wicked Witch, Glinda, the Munchkins, or any other Oz book/movie character your heart desires! There will be three awards per category and age group!
No pre-registeration is necessary. Judging starts promptly at 12:15 p.m. on the Main Stage, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
Awards will be given in multiple categories immediately following judging on the Main Stage, prior to the Oz parade. All awards that are not picked up at the ceremony will be available for the winners to pick up at the Chittenango Village Hall during normal business hours.
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Noon—Amusement Rides Open, Oz-Stravaganza Park. Ride specials available.
2023 OZ-STRAVAGANZA! PARADE—2:00 P.M.
2:00–3:00 p.m.—2023 Oz-Stravaganza! Parade. (Sponsored by Empower Federal Credit Union). Theme: “Technicolor Oz, A Twister, Poppies, and A Yellow Brick Road” Grand Marshal: Robert Welch, Grandson of A. Arnold (Buddy) Gillespie (Sponsored by Kinney Drugs). Music filled parade with Ozzie floats, animals, marching units, special guests and more! Parade route is downtown Chittenango (Genesee St./Route 5) starting at Sullivan Free Library and continuing north to Community Savings Bank. Streets into the Village will close at 1 p.m., so plan accordingly.
AUTOGRAPH WITH SPECIAL OZ GUESTS
3:30–5:00 p.m.—Autographs with Special Oz Guests, (Sponsored by Kudos Weightloss). Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
AUTHORS & ARTIST ALLEY
3:30–5:00 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, (Sponsored by Sun Chevrolet). Oz-Stravaganza Park.
SATURDAY NIGHT PROGRAM
6:00—Saturday Night OZ Program (Sponsored by Wegmans).
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6:00 p.m.: MOVIES & MUSIC & OZ: WHAT JOYS!
Jane Lahr brings to OZ-Stravaganza! both personal and professional recollections of her iconic dad, Bert Lahr—THE “Cowardly Lion” for all-time in the MGM motion picture. Cherished Broadway and pop composer/lyricist Steve Margoshes shares some of his New Songs From Oz—numbers he’s written and recorded for a forthcoming CD/digital download project he’s producing in cooperation with Chittenango’s International L. Frank Baum & All Things Oz Historical Foundation. And new “Royal Historian” and Oz entrepreneur Gabriel Gale debuts special information about the new WICKED movies (the first of which premieres this Thanksgiving) and discusses his books, AGES OF OZ, THE ART OF OZ, and his future Ozzy plans. Best-selling author and Emmy Award-winning producer John Fricke is host for the evening.
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Schedule of Events-Sunday, June 2, 2024
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.—A fun filled day at Oz-Stravaganza Park, rides, games, vendors/crafters, Oz souvenirs & memorabilia, a wide variety of food, snacks, and beverages. Many children’s activities.
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.—Baum’s Bazaar Gift Shop Open, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.—All Things Oz Museum Open, 219 Genesee Street, Chittenango. Admission is $9.00 per person, children ten and under are free. Guided tours 11:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. every hour on the hour. AAA Discounts. Blue Star Museum.
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.—History Exhibit, (Sponsored by Madison Mutual Insurance). Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
SILENT AUCTION
10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.—Wizard’s Wonderful Silent Auction (Sponsored by Chittenango Rotary). Glinda’s Royal Tent located in Oz-Stravaganza Park. Includes Oz, non-Oz items, local and national items, gift certificates & more.
COLORING CONTEST AWARDS
11:00 a.m.—Coloring Contest Awards, Main Stage in Oz-Stravaganza Park. (Sponsored by Wilson Insurance).
ROYAL HISTORIAN OF OZ WRITING CONTEST AWARDS
12:00 p.m.—Royal Historian of Oz Writing Contest Awards, (Sponsored by VLAWSITY). Main Stage in Oz-Stravaganza Park. First place winners will be read by Special Oz Guests.
12:00 p.m. (Noon)—Amusement Rides Open, Oz-Stravaganza Park. Ride specials available.
AUTHORS & ARTIST ALLEY
12:00–3:00 p.m.—Authors & Artists Alley, (Sponsored by Sun Chevrolet). Oz-Stravaganza Park.
AUTOGRAPH WITH SPECIAL OZ GUESTS
2:00–3:30 p.m.—Autographs with Special Oz Guests, (Sponsored by Kudos Weightloss), Glinda’s Royal Tent, Oz-Stravaganza Park.
GRAND FINALE
4:00 p.m.—Grand Finale, (Sponsored by Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce). Main Stage, Oz-Stravaganza Park. Send off our Special Guests in a wonderful, traditional way and help us remind them that there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME...IN CHITTENANGO!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Oneida Indian Nation
Major Sponsors
Village of Chittenango
Kinney Drugs
Empower Federal Credit Union
Mars Wrigley
Tina McNulty
Pepsi
Sun Chevrolet
VLAWSITY
Wilson Insurance
Media Sponsors
92.1 The Wolf
96.5/100.3 The Beat
Fox Sports 1490AM Syracuse
The Dinosaur
Other Contributing Sponsors
Louis Berrillo
Barrett Brothers Automotive
Robert Benson, Attonery-at-Law
Barnes & Noble
Brookside Consultants
Buck’s Pizzeria
Chittenango Animal Hospital
Chittenango Child Care Center Inc.
Chittenango Convenience
Chittenango Lions Club
Chittenango Lumber
Chittenango Physical Therapy
Chittenango Rotary Club
Chittenango Self Storage
Community Bank
DeMario’s Eatery
Dunkin Donuts
First Presbyterian Church
Jim Marshall Farms
Judy Fogus
Greater Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce
Kinney Foundation
Koester Associates
Kris Kringle Studio
Kudos Weightloss
La Cocina
Locke & Steele Investigative Agency
Madison Mutual Insurance
John Mazzullo & Sons
MCV Law
The Medicine Shoppe
Nina’s Pizzeria
Otto/Syracuse University Athletics
Bud Penner
Rasmussen Rents
Shannons Place
Shears to You Beauty Shop
Sorbello‘s Gift & Garden
Stewart’s Shoppe
Teague Accounting
The Auction Solution
The Medicine Shoppe
The REV
The Ten Pin
Tops
Wegmans
Whites Farm Supply
Zimmer Funeral Home
Thank You For Your Support
The Oz-Stravaganza! Committee extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone attending Oz-Stravaganza! 2024. We appreciate you helping us honor our native son, L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and to celebrate the timeless classic movie, The Wizard of Oz as well as all things Oz related.
We would like to thank the Village of Chittenango, Mayor Louis Cianfrocco, Village Police Chief Shawn Broton and Police Department, Fire Chief Jason Baker and Fire Department, DPW, Chittenango High School, American Legion, local businesses & community members for all of their hard work and support. The efforts of many have made this weekend possible.
2024 Program Schedule
Copyright ©2024 Oz-Stravaganza!™ is part of the THE INTERNATIONAL L. FRANK BAUM AND ALL THINGS OZ HISTORICAL FOUNDATION. All rights reserved.