Pictured from left, Chuck Fougnier, Wolf Clan Member of the Oneida Nation Council and Chairman of the Oneida Nation Foundation; Colleen Zimmer, Co-Director of Oz-Stravaganza. (Photo courtesy Oneida Indian Nation)
(Verona, Chittenango, 
NY – May 31, 2013) Wolf Clan member of the Oneida Nation Council and Chairman of the Oneida Nation Foundation, Chuck Fougnier, presented a $5,000 check to Oz-Stravaganza Co-Director Colleen Zimmer as Presenting Sponsor of the 35th annual festival, to be held May 31 – June 2 in Chittenango, NY. Oz-Stravaganza pays tribute to Chittenango native and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” author L. Frank Baum.
Fougnier said, “I enjoy Oz-Stravaganza and it’s great to work with the festival organizers each year. It’s our pleasure to give our support to such a wonderful community event.”
Zimmer said of the $5,000 donation, “The Oneida Nation is our biggest supporter and this contribution means the world to us. The only way Oz-Stravaganza happens is with the support of local business partners. It’s how we draw over 20,000 people to Chittenango each year.”
Part of the Oneida Nation’s Presenting Sponsorship of Oz-Stravaganza includes a visit from Caren Marsh-Doll, a 1940’s Hollywood icon, who was the stand-in for Judy Garland during the filming of the 1939 classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” Other special Oz-Stravaganza guests include teen actress Ann Marie Arcuri, a Chittenango native, who portrayed a Quadling child in the recent Disney film “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” and author John Fricke, who’s latest book, “The Wonderful World of Oz” will be published this fall.
This year’s Oz-Stravaganza festival runs May 31 – June 2 in the village of Chittenango, with the signature parade Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. Learn more at www.Oz-Stravaganza.com.