Autumn at Oz Festival
Autumn sets the Blue
Ridge Mountains ablaze
with magnificent fall
colors. Photographers
and hikers will love
this time of year. The first weekend in
October also brings
"Autumn at Oz Festival”
to
Beech Mountain.
The dream of Jack Pentes,
a visionary alongside of
Grover Robbins in the
Carolina Caribbean
Corp., which spearheaded
Tweetsie
Railroad and Beech
Mountain, the Land of Oz
was created for children
and families visiting
Beech Mountain. The
theme park employed
local talent and
craftsmen which, in
addition to the ski
resort, was instrumental
in creating jobs for the
area. It was a grand
dream and was done in a
grand fashion. OZ
exceeded everyone's
expectations of success.
 The Land of Oz
operated from 1970 to
1980, when the park
could not keep up with
costs and the economy.
The property reverted
back to its owners, and
in 1990, Emerald
Mountain development, a 450 acre
project, was built where the Land
of Oz once operated.
The Emerald Mountain development grew up
and around the former
Land of Oz Park, but, in
1992, Emerald Mountain
property owners
cooperated with
organizers to bring
about the first Autumn
at Oz Festival. The
festival was a huge
success. Though the
festival is not as
extensive as the park
once was, over the past
15 years, the Autumn at
Oz Festival has brought
back the Wizard of Oz
characters and scenes
and has restored the
enchanting private
garden, Dorothy's farm,
gazebos, fountain, pond,
waterfall, and the
yellow brick road. Each
year, proponents of
Autumn at Oz Festival
attempt to bring back an
original part of the
Land of Oz Park, like
the authentic Wizard of
Oz balloon. The Oz
Museum has seen a big
change, with new
artifacts and
memorabilia appearing
each year.
 |
Beech Mountain
Chamber
of Commerce
403A Beech Mountain Pkwy
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
828-387-9283 |
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Visitors to the Autumn
at Oz Festivals can take
a nostalgic stroll down
the Yellow Brick Road,
with or without
children, and enjoy the
performances of the
original cast. Dorothy
interacts with guests in
her blue and white dress
and red slippers. All
the Oz characters,
including Aunt Em, Uncle
Henry and Glenda the
Good Witch are in
attendance. It’s quite a
thrill to go “off and
see the wizard,” skip
along the Yellow Brick
Road, pass through
Munchkinland, and say
hello to the Lion while
dodging the flying
monkeys.
Plan your stay in Beech
Mountain early as this
is a very popular
festival during a
beautiful time in the
High Country Mountains.
Browse through our many
Beech Mountain Rentals,
all of which are perfect
for those planning to
visit Beech Mountain NC
for the famous Autumn at
Oz Festival. Our Beech
Mountain Chalet Rentals
are also nearby to the
renowned NC Ski Resorts,
so plan your trip today!
We invite you to view
all of our rental
properties and contact
us by phone at
828.898.9188,
e-mail us, or us or
online request form
to ask questions or
request reservations. |
