‘Autumn At Oz’ Slated For Legendary North Carolina Theme Park

"Autumn at Oz" is slated to return to Beech Mountain's legendary "Land of Oz" theme park this fall. I've always been fascinated by this place. I grew up in Houston and the major theme park of my childhood, "Astroworld," now only exists in my memories. It closed and was dismantled more than 20 years ago. For those with memories of fun at the Beech Mountain theme park, for 3 weekends this fall, you can revisit.

Land of Oz opened and operated in Beech Mountain in the 1970s. It was a tribute to the beloved classic MGM film. People came from all over to walk the yellowbrick road and meet "Dorothy," "Toto," "Scarecrow," and "Tin Man" before th park closed in 1980.

Here's where the Land of Oz story takes a turn. My "Astroworld" was huge Carowinds-like park that sat adjacent to the Astrodome in Houston. When it closed, there was no way its employees, no matter how devoted, could have taken it over. However, that's exactly what happened with Land of Oz. According to WCNC, in 1988, a group of original theme park employees brought the park back to life with yearly re-openings and the park has since opened a few times each year to take visitors on a walk down the yellow brick road they won't ever forget. In other words, "Autumn At Oz."

Autumn at Oz will once again bring folks to Beech Mountain the first three weekends in September. Tickets are on sale NOW and available here. This year's event will serve as a celebration of the iconic film's 85th anniversary and will feature the movie's characters (of course!) as well as live performances, arts and crafts, delicious food, and memorabilia from the cinematic classic.

Have you created your fall bucket list yet? This weekend is Labor Day and the unofficial kick-off to fall. The kids are back in school, football is back, and pumpkin spice lattes are in Starbucks. Now the weather just needs to catch up. But soon we will be in sweaters, with leaves falling around us, surrounded by pumpkins and the smell of fresh cider. Which means it's time to plan for the best season of the year. So I'm here with some must-do activities in North Carolina this fall.

So get your boots on, it’s time to Fall in love with Fall. There is no shortage of fun activities to partake in across the state of North Carolina this September through November. Which is your favorite part of the season? The leaves falling, the pumpkin carving, or all the delicious beverages to taste. I just want to scream "It's fall y'all". Except it still feels like a sauna outside currently, and this weekend it was too hot to even go to the pool. Which left me with plenty of time to daydream about the cooler weather and all the fun to be had.  I even put my football pumpkin on my porch because it's time ladies and gentlemen, it's time!

There is no shortage of breweries in Charlotte and across the state. Which means there is no shortage of pumpkin beer this time of year. My personal favorite? NoDa Brewing Company's "Gordegous". But there is no wrong answer when it comes to pumpkin beer.

College or NFL it doesn't matter! Fall is made for football. Take in a Panthers game, the Dukes Mayo College Kickoff battle of the Carolinas, or do as I do and road trip to a college game!

What's fall without pumpkins? And sure you could pick one up at the grocery store but what fun would that be. Instead visit a local farm including Hodges Family Farm, Millstone Creeks Orchard, Cotton Hills Farm, and Hunter Farm to pick your own pumpkins!

Test your problem solving (and patience) with a corn maze. This family-friendly activity will have you laughing and bonding with those you love. There are several mazes in the Charlotte area including at Hall Family Farm, Awe Shucks, and Kersey Valley.

If you haven't been to Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery yet make this the year you finally do. Windy HIll offers apple picking, apple cider donuts, alcholic /non-alcholic drinks and good old family fun.

Whether you choose to stroll a greenway, take a walk in your neighborhood, or venture out for a hike at a park like Kings Mountain. Maybe head to Asheville to experience leaf season in the mountains. It's not fall without seeing the leaves change and letting them crunch under your feet.

You're not scared are you? There are tons of screams to be had across the Carolinas at Scarowinds, Kersey Valley Spookywoods, and more.