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By Tom Wuckovich
> Follow the Yellow Brick Road
> If You're "Smart," Don't Answer Your Shoe
> On Gourd
> You Kid Me Not
> Racking Up Some Points
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
 Fans of the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz can follow the yellow brick road to Oz at Beech Mountain, NC, on Oct. 7-8, where the classic story will come to life at the annual Autumn at Oz party at the former Land of Oz amusement park. For two days, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Beech Mountain will be filled with Dorothy and friends, bluegrass music, magic shows, and other activities and concessions for the whole family.
At the celebration, guests can expect to feel as if they’ve journeyed to Auntie Em’s through a cyclone and down the yellow brick road. Special guests of honor Carl Slover and Donna Stewart-Hardaway were Munchkins from the 1939 movie, and also will be at Oz with original cast members from the park. Dressing up in “Ozzie” attire is encouraged, but don’t forget a jacket and umbrella—even Oz has showers every now and then. Beech Mountain’s Land of Oz amusement park originally opened in 1970, and was made to be compatible with the ski slopes at Beech. The park’s ski lift was turned into a balloon ride in Oz that went around Emerald City. This event isn’t just for people who want to see Oz. Collectors of memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz are invited to attend as well. Along with concessions, visitors can buy antique postcards in the museum or trade and sell a variety of Oz items from vendors who attend the celebration. For more information about the festival, call (800) 468-5506 or visit www.beechmtn.com.
If You’re “Smart,”
Don’t Answer Your Shoe
Fancy yourself as the James Bond or Laura Croft type? Like Halloween because it gives you a chance to disguise who you are? Great at making up stories and people watching? Then here’s your chance to temporarily join the world of espionage and become a spy—for a little while, at least.
On Oct. 24, former CIA Chiefs of Disguise Tony and Jonna Mendez will stage a Spy School Workshop at the historic Willard Hotel in Washington, DC—the perfect place to try out dirty tricks. Wit and savvy will be required as participants gather intelligence, conduct surveillance, and peek into the world of super secret agents in this rare opportunity to blend real spycraft training and the delicious fantasy world of international intrigue, perfect martinis, glamorous men and women, and luxurious sports cars. The class is based on an “advance intelligence” scenario, which indicates that a certain very elusive, very seductive and very secret pair of agents will be visiting Washington on an important mission this fall.
You will be part of an elite team assembled to determine what the agents’ assignment is, and how they can be assisted or thwarted. You’ll need to blend into the hotel’s swank scene while shadowing suspects in the famed Peacock Alley and listening in for suspicious whispers at the Round Robin Bar.
For more information call (202) 654-0930 or visit www.spymuseum.org. The activity is in conjunction with the International Spy Museum. Call today—but make certain the phone isn’t tapped!
On Gourd!
Some are no longer than your thumb, others are taller than an average human being, while others are literally giants big enough to challenge the strongest weightlifter. We’re talking gourds here, a garden oddity that has served in households since before recorded history. You can learn more about this venerable cousin of squash at the annual Gourd Festival being staged Sept. 9-10 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
Meet crafters and growers and learn how to turn a moldy gourd straight from the garden into an object of lasting beauty. Gourd crafters will show you how to prepare gourds for crafts, while painters, carvers, engravers, sculptors, jewelry makers and more will demonstrate “gourdcraft,” with loads of items to display and sell.
Gourd crafters will compete for ribbons in 80 categories—from heaviest and longest gourd to best gourd animals, flowers, masks and bowls. Visitors can buy a dried gourd and try their hand at making something special to keep as a souvenir.
For more information on the festival, call (919) 557-5946 or visit www.twincreek.com/gourds/festival.
You Kid Me Not
Ever have someone “get your goat”? Ever wonder how that phrase came into being? Supposedly, it originated in France and meant that someone was out to “steal your milk.” Well, the folks over in Millington, TN, appreciate their goats—so much so that every year in September they celebrate Goat Days with a series of unique events. The festival is the brainchild of W.S. Howard, who conceived the idea of goat chariot races (W.S. had a lot of time on his hands), and decided other contests would also be fun...and lo and behold, Goat Days was born.
Contests this year include the chariot races, goat milking contest, a “best horns” competition and “best dressed goat.” A prize also will be awarded for “largest goat.” Firemen, policemen and other civic groups take part in the good-natured festival, and the proceeds from the event go to community causes. And goats aren’t the only center of attention. Other contests include a chili cookoff, Dutch oven baking contest and best ice cream competition. If that’s not enough, visitors can watch the working of cedar shingles or the grinding of corn meal. The whole affair takes place in three days, from Sept. 8-10. For more information, call (901) 872-5175 or visit www.internationalgoatdays.com.
Racking Up Some Points
The air will be electric as the best racking horses of the season stride proudly into the 92,000-square-foot Celebration Arena in Decatur, AL, during the annual World Championship Racking Horse Competition scheduled for Sept. 22-30.
A legend in America, the racking horse was officially named the state horse of Alabama in 1975. A graceful, long-necked horse averaging 15.2 hands (just over five feet) high and about 1,000 lbs, it gets its name from its additional gait—a smooth interim between pace (walk) and trot—sometimes known as a “single-foot,” as only one foot strikes the ground at a time. Every year since 1972, the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America has hosted a nine-day long celebration at its arena in Decatur. Given their stamina and calm disposition, the horses proved popular among the pioneers and were put to good use on the great Southern plantations before the Civil War. The “rack” allows it to be ridden comfortably for long periods—ideal for the great distances across the states.
More than 2,000 entries will compete in 151 classes for cash, trophies and awards. The event draws up to 75,000 fans from more than 30 states to see the different classes and divisions, as both horses and owners compete for trophies, awards and the prize money; all hoping to become World Grand Champion.
For more information about the event, call (256) 353-7225.
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