If you're a fan of the classic 1939 film 'Wizard Of Oz', Minnesota is a great place to be. Judy Garland who played Dorothy Gale in the movie is from Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

She's from the same hometown as my grandmother. In fact, my grandma's grandmother babysat Judy Garland when she was a young child before she moved to Lancaster, California. Her name was actually Frances Ethel Gumm back then.

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Every year Grand Rapids holds their annual 'Wizard Of Oz' Festival to honor the star who got her start in their town. This year's event is on Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They celebrate by showing 'Wizard Of Oz', hosting a costume contest, organizing a 5k and more!

Kids can make their own Glenda wand and get their faces painted like a flying monkey. It's one of the coolest festivals in the country for a 'Wizard Of Oz' die hard!

 

 

 

 

 

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