GNY EP. 186 | The All Things Oz Museum & Oz-Stravaganza Festival feat. Marc Baum & Monica Kinner
Did you know the world’s largest Wizard of Oz festival has been happening right here in Central New York for nearly 50 years — and it’s completely free to attend? In this episode of Good News York, Noah sits down with Marc Baum (President) and Monica Kinner (Vice President) of the International L. Frank Baum and All Things Oz Historical Foundation, home of the All Things Oz Museum in Chittenango, NY — the birthplace of L. Frank Baum himself.
Marc and Monica share the incredible story behind the museum, which started with a retiring collector’s offer and a rented-out video store, and has since grown to over 18,000 pieces spanning 126 years of Oz history — from original first-edition books and L. Frank Baum family memorabilia, to costumes from the Wicked films, The Wiz Broadway production, and even Wizard of Oz on Ice. The museum now occupies a main building plus two annex locations and welcomes visitors from all 50 states and 30 countries every year.
The conversation digs into the upcoming 49th annual Oz-Stravaganza Festival, happening over one unforgettable weekend in Chittenango — complete with yellow brick road sidewalks, 30,000 attendees, celebrity guests, authors, artists, fireworks, a parade, a kids’ fun run, costume contests, and evening talk-show-style programs. This year’s special guests include Marissa Bode (Nessarose in the Wicked films), Gita Dorothy Morena (L. Frank Baum’s great-granddaughter), filmmaker Hugh Gross (After the Wizard), and longtime festival host John Fricke — Emmy Award winner, Grammy nominee, and spokesperson for the Smithsonian’s ruby slippers exhibit.
Marc and Monica also reveal some wild behind-the-scenes stories: a 125-year-old first-edition copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz — valued at $135,000 — that arrived completely uninsured via regular US mail with no tracking and no warning. A rare Margaret Hamilton doll, one of only 330 ever made, that the museum acquired for nothing more than shipping and insurance after it failed to sell at auction. And how the release of the Wicked movies has brought an entirely new generation of fans through their doors — some of whom have never even seen the 1939 Judy Garland film.
Whether you’re a lifelong Oz devotee or just discovering the magic for the first time, this episode is a joyful reminder that great stories, community, and a little bit of wonder are always worth preserving.
🌐 Learn more & plan your visit: www.goodnewsyork.com
Chapters:
0:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome
0:24 – About the All Things Oz Museum
1:35 – How the Museum Got Started
2:51 – Oz-Stravaganza: The World’s Largest Wizard of Oz Festival
5:55 – Special Guests: Marissa Bode, Gita Dorothy Morena, Hugh Gross & John Fricke
9:00 – The Wicked Movies & a New Generation of Oz Fans
11:25 – Rare & Remarkable Museum Pieces
12:39 – The $13,000 Margaret Hamilton Doll (Given for Free)
14:05 – Visitor Experience & Guided Tours
15:40 – L. Frank Baum’s Central New York Roots
17:57 – Why Oz Is Forever Part of American Culture
18:43 – Festival Details, Free Admission & How to Visit
21:03 – Outro
🎟️ Oz-Stravaganza Festival
📍 Chittenango, NY
🔗 oz-stravaganza.com | allthingsoz.org
📺 Good News York
Spotlighting the people, places, and stories making Central New York great.
🔗 www.goodnewsyork.com
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