Mark your calendars for OCTOBER 4, 2025 for a FUN, FALL FAMILY CELEBRATION known as OZtoberFEST!
The streets of Downtown Wamego become the Yellow Brick Road with an OZ Costume Contest, Toto look-a-like contest, an Outdoor OZ Arts & Crafts Market, Classic Car Show, Wizard's Beer & Wine Garden, Munchkinland, Munchkin Junction and many more OZsome activities!
11:30am - “Museum Unveiling of new OZ Artifacts” Join Executive Director Clint Stueve as more OZ Hollywood history becomes part of the collection!
11:30 - “Wicked: A History” with Chris Glasgow
12:30am - “Wicked Wares: Toys, Plushes, & Cinema Exclusives” with Jane Albright
1:30pm - "Let the Wizard Answer Your Questions About OZ" with Jon Fricke & Brent Sigman
2:30pm - “Wicked: A History” with Chris Glasgow
3:30pm - "OZ Q&A" with Clint Stueve, Chris Glasgow, Earnest Diaz, Jane Albright, and Johnpaul Caifiero
Costume Contest Outline:
Pre-registration is NOT required. Contest begins at 12 noon at the Downtown Entertainment Stage.
Two Age Groups: Under 18 and Over 18
There are 9 costume categories. Awards will be presented to the winners, in both age groups, of each category:
Contestants will be called on stage by category starting with age group Under 18 then moving to Over 18. The Host will call contestants on stage according to type and age. Once all entries for Dorothy have been brought on stage they return to their seats and the Host will call up Munchkin entries and so on. All entries for a specific “character” return to their seats after the last entry walks across the stage.
Winners remain on stage for a group photo.
1:00 pm. Bring YOUR Toto to the Downtown Entertainment Stage to see if your dog is the next Toto look-a-like!
Follow the yellow brick road (Hwy 99) to the 8th annual classic car show, HEROES, HOT RODS & MOTORCYCLES along the 600 and 700 Blocks of Lincoln Ave.
FUELING PATRIOTISM BY HONORING OUR NATION’S MILITARY HEROES! Check out the HISTORIC MILITARY VEHICLES, ANTIQUE CARS, RAFFLES & SO MUCH MORE!
Registration Fee: Free with donation. Same day registration at 7th and Lincoln: 9am – 12pm
Raffle Drawings & Awards: 2pm
Heroes, Hot Rods, and Motorcycles is the signature fundraiser for the Kansas Honor Flight - Wamego High School Program! All of the registration donations and raffle monies will be donated to this organization. The Honor Flight has a mission to take veterans to Washington D.C. to see their respective memorials. Wamego High School proudly joined the Kansas Honor Flight Network in 2012. The Kansas Honor Flight - Wamego High School program pairs local students with area veterans for a memorable two-day trip to Washington D.C. National Honor Society students serve as guardians to the honored veterans. The trip is free to the veterans thanks to our financial partners and fundraisers, such as the Heroes, Hot Rods, and Motorcycles car show. www.whshonorflight.com.
The Heroes, Hot Rods, and Motorcycles car show and OztoberFest have become an Honor Flight Reunion venue for the Wamego High School organization. The veterans and the students come together once again to visit and reminisce.
Munchkin Junction: Childrens crafts and events, starts at 10am & runs all day.
Munchkin Muffin March every hour starting at 11am.
OZ Cupcake Decorating Contest begins at 10am upstairs, with viewing and voting all day.
Performances:
11:30 - Yellow Brick Road Band
1:30 - WHS Jazz Band
3:00 - WHS Treble Choir
Special appearances by the Wicked Witch and some incredible character sing alongs will take place on the Columbian Theatre Balcony at 11am, 1:30pm, and 3pm!
Columbian Theatre
11:30am - Yellow Brick Road Band
1:30pm - WHS Jazz Band
3:00pm - WHS Treble Chior
Columbian Balcony
10:00am - Opening Ceremony
11:30am, 1:30pm, & 3pm - Balcony Character performances!
Outdoor Downtown Stage
11:30am - Kanvas Dance Company
12:00pm - OZ Character Costume Contest
1:00pm - Toto Look a Like Contest
1:30 - 3:30pm - Solo artist Bryan Knowles
OUTDOOR OZ MARKET
Locally made Kansas items from a wide range of vendors including:
Broken W. Products
Barbara Ann's Craft Store
Prairie Trail Soap Co
Whimsey of Eden
The Clever Bat
Indy Design Studio
SuperNova Face Artistry
Cocoavino
Country Girl Crochet
BlakenBrynn
Linked by AEA
SHoney Farm
BeeZerts
Aunt Nancy's Face Art
Crocheting by Kasey
River Bottom Designs
Wann's Wreaths
Sew Creative
Ruby Sliippers
Tiny House Homested
Bubble Luscious Soap Co.
Sweet & Sassy Creations
Sunflower Design Barn
Prickly Pair Designs
Rocks & Fossils
Susag Statuary
Robins Nest Creations
Re.Generation Craftworks
Rose Creek Suds
FOOD COURT
A variety of food trucks/tents located throughout Lincoln Ave. Something for everyone including:
Friendship House
Smokin H Meats
Southern Star Cafe
MHK Caravan Co
Global Grill
Sweey Sylvies
Yurii's Kitchen
Kings Candy Shop
Kona Ice
Tasty Traveler
Scarecrows Snowcones
Beer & Wine
Sold from the Beer and Wine tent downtown, common consumption will allow you to walk and shop or enjoy the entertainment on Lincoln between 4th and 6th streets with your beverage.
PARKING
Parking is available on side streets and around the City Park. Festival is centrally located downtown, Lincoln Avenue, so it is easy to park and walk to this family event.
RESTROOMS
Porta Pottys are available throughout the festival.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Emergency Services are located at the intersection of 6th & Lincoln.
