Long before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo captivated audiences with the movie adaptation of Wicked, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz enchanted readers and whisked them away to the Land of Oz in 1900. By 1939, audiences were awe-struck by the iconic film of the same name, starring the incandescent Judy Garland.
What people may not know is that in 1970, in North Carolina, the Land of Oz became a real, visitable place. The elaborate theme park was a trove of film nods, attractions, and characters that encompassed the fairy tale. Today, visitors can still wander around the park’s incredible sites.
The history of the Land of Oz
The magical park endured many setbacks over the years. It officially opened in 1970 after ten years of on-and-off construction. According to the park’s website, it drew over 4,000 visitors its opening weekend. Movie star Debbie Reynolds conducted the official ribbon-cutting ceremony that July. As the actress co-owned many of the film’s costumes on display in the museum, she remained active with the park throughout the years.
Bankruptcy during a national financial crisis and a devastating fire shut the park down in 1975, but just a year later, it bounced back with new costumes and attractions. By 1980, financial pressures forced a permanent closure, and the park fell into ruin during the following decade. In the 1990s, it was revived, and in 1993, the first annual Autumn at Oz Festival began. By 2017, the festival expanded from a one-day event into multiple weekends throughout the fall.
Today, the festival continues to feature an array of film celebrations and themed attractions during the autumn season.
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What is the annual Autumn at Oz Festival?
The festival is reminiscent of a Renaissance Faire, with the grounds transformed into Oz for a fully immersive experience supported by actors and vendors alike. Festival-goers can explore Gale Kansas Farm, weather the tornado experience, and literally walk the Yellow Brick Road to a pop-up Emerald City.
Visitors can enjoy themed foods and shop for memorabilia throughout the festival. While the 2025 festival was canceled and details for 2026 are still being assessed, planning a trip to Beech Mountain during the fall is still worthwhile.
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What else is there to do in Beech Mountain?
Even if the festival isn’t happening, Beech Mountain offers year-round attractions. The town sits at 5,506 feet in elevation and provides scenic trails, lakes, and mountain views for families to explore. In the summer and fall, there are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails for beginners and advanced riders alike, as well as opportunities to fish, kayak, and birdwatch.
During winter, families flock to Beech Mountain Resort for skiing and snowboarding suitable for all skill levels. The resort offers 117 trails, terrain parks, and even night skiing. Visitors can also enjoy local village shops for seasonal crafts and boutique items or stroll the nearby towns of Banner Elk and Blowing Rock.
Hopefully, travelers will be off to see the wizard in Beech Mountain next year.
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.