September Festivals Make Family Memories

As soon as September begins, Tony-nominated "End of the Rainbow" with Angela Ingersoll as Judy Garland ends in Laguna Beach Playhouse. Catch it while you can, Judy fans! Through Sept. 2.

Midwest Oz Fest just outside Chicago in Tinley Park, Illinois, Sept 22-23, promises a "fantastic roster of guest speakers, wonderful vendors, AND fun farm attractions for the entire family." It has a Facebook page you can follow to keep on top of event news as details are announced.

The Ohio Oz Fest returns to Macedonia, OH, Sept. 28-30. Fans had a blast last year; expect another weekend of great family fun in 2018. The Twinsburg Community Theatre will present "The Wizard of Oz." There's a silent auction, 5K run, and an art exhibit in addition to vendors and Oz attractions. New this year, an Authors & Writers Collective with Oz writers, Ohio authors, children book writers & illustrators will be on hand to sell and sign books. Plus you can sign up for painting parties Friday afternoon -- release your inner Oz artist!

Plan ahead

For a memory like no other, Oz fans flock to Autumn in Oz, Banner Elk, North Carolina. This year's sold-out, annual event will be held Sept 7-9. Tickets are no longer available from the venue, so news reports and social media will be the only way to follow the Yellow Brick Road this year. The event's website announces the fall dates and opens tickets for sale in mid-June. With the 80th anniversary of the MGM film to celebrate in 2019, the event will likely sell out even more quickly than usual next year. If you want to attend in 2019, start now to follow the event's Facebook page and website so you don't miss your chance. In the meantime, live vicariously through the photos and reports from the lucky fans traveling over the rainbow this month.