Things to see and do Saturday at Oz Land Festival 2024 in Peekskill

Samantha Antrum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Follow the Yellow Brick Road all the way to Peekskill on Saturday, where the free annual Oz Land Festival will twist into town like a tornado.

From 1 to 7 p.m., local nonprofit organization, Antonia Arts, will bring the wonderful world of Oz to the Hudson Valley. Meant to celebrate the diversity of the Peekskill community and honor the connection between the town and the “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” author, L. Frank Baum, the Oz Land Festival is an explosion of food, arts and performances, all themed around the fan favorite.

“I think it's an important festival, because it not only honors such an important story, (it) kind of mimics Peekskill as well,” said festival volunteer James Bastone. “The tagline of the festival is ‘the Emerald City of diversity,’ because Peekskill has a melting pot of culture.”

There is no place like Peekskill

Baum has interesting ties to Peekskill. In 1868, he attended military academy in the town, and legend has it he may have been inspired by his time in Peekskill to create the famed Yellow Brick Road in the novel.

Now more than 120 years old, Baum's book has inspired countless movies, musicals, prequel stories and pop culture references: the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of Oz,” the hit musical “The Wiz,” Gregory Maguire’s book series “The Wicked Years,” and the still-running Broadway musical inspired by it, “Wicked.” And later this year, “Wicked” the movie, further evidence of Baum’s influence on our culture.

Scarlett Antonia felt that influence. Founder of Antonia Arts and creator of the Oz Land Festival, Antonia danced for years in countless “successful” performances of “The Wizard of Oz,” she said, before she used the beloved tale as inspiration for the festival.

“It's not just a street festival. It's more than that," Antonia said. “There's so much you can do with the theme and the history of L. Frank Baum coming from Peekskill,” Antonia said. “Everybody has a dream, or would like to have a dream. And that’s what we want, to support people on their road, on their journey, help them be creative and overcome the witches along the way.”

Now in its fourth year, Antonia hopes that the festival will continue to evolve as the years go on.

“Where I want to see this go eventually,” she said, “is kind of like a Renaissance festival, only with Oz Land as the theme.”

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the 4th annual Oz Land Festival

For all the lovers of L. Frank Baum's work and everything that's been inspired by it, the Oz Land Festival is the place to be this weekend. From the wide array of activities and performances, to "Wizard of Oz" inspired foods, this event is sure to be wicked fun.

When: 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday, August 17.

Where: Outside of The Artist Spot, 925 South Street, Peekskill.

Cost: Free

Activities include:

  • "Wizard of Oz" themed performances by local dancers, actors and singers

  • Food vendors with specials in the theme of “The Wizard of Oz”

  • Characters from “The Wizard of Oz”

  • Street dancing and Zumba classes

  • ArtsWestchester’s ArtsMobile with crafts for kids

  • Bouncy castle

  • Art vendors, art gallery and an art contest with a cash prize

  • Costume contest with a cash prize

  • And much more

For more information: Check out the Antonia Arts Facebook page at facebook.com/scarlett.antonia.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Oz Land Festival 2024 in Peekskill NY Aug 17 things to see and do

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