Month long Museum of OZ opened with record breaking attendance

On Saturday, September 29, the South Carolina State Museum kicked off its month long Museum of Oz Halloween tradition to record breaking attendance with over 1,500 guests the first weekend and 1,800 the second weekend. The museum expects to continue its success this Saturday, October 13, through a new partnership with Pawmetto Lifeline that will add an honorary “Toto” to the Museum of Oz’s cast of characters.

Pawmetto Lifeline will designate a rescue animal from their shelter to visit the State Museum and fill the role of “Toto” during Saturday in Oz on October 13 and 27. In addition to seeing Dorothy in the Magical Maze of Oz, guests can also meet “Toto” from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This very special “Toto” will be available for adoption through Pawmetto Lifeline and may even find a forever home with a Museum of Oz guest.

“Pawmetto Lifeline is excited to be a part of this fun and nostalgic exhibit, while at the same time having the opportunity to showcase one of our fantastic dogs that will be available for adoption at our facility,” said Libba Ulery, director of H.E.A.R.T. Rescue Collaboration, a program of Pawmetto Lifeline. “Pawmetto Lifeline not only offers wonderful pets for adoption but also affordable medical care for our community with the Wellness Clinic, Vaccine and Spay/Neuter Clinics and Care A Van our mobile vaccine units.”

The Museum of Oz runs through Sunday, November 4, with Oz themed fun, including the exciting Magical Maze of Oz, which gives guests the chance to follow the Yellow Brick Road through the Haunted Forest and even become the Great and Powerful Oz. Each Saturday in October the museum will host a number of family friendly activities with Wizard of Oz characters and hands-on fun. Saturdays in Oz will end on October 27 with the ultimate Wizard of Oz party, complete with snacks, balloon animals, a costume contest and more.

Museum of Oz Features:

Magical Maze of Oz: This exciting interactive adventure is a new addition to the Museum of Oz. Guests will get whisked away from Kansas to the Land of Oz by following the Yellow Brick Road, winding through a number of recreated life-sized scenes from the film. From Munchkin Land to the Enchanted Forest, a field of poppies leads to the interactive Emerald City where guests get a chance to “grant wishes” as the Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz 4-D Experience: Playing in the Rev. Dr. Solomon Jackson, Jr. 4-D Theater, The Wizard of Oz comes alive as never beforein this amazing 16 minute 4-D experience. Featuring digital 3-D and state-of-the-art special effects including wind, lightening and many more surprises, this beloved classic becomes a modern 4-D adventure as the infamous tornado carries guests to the magical Land of Oz.

Skies over Oz: Hear the tale of Dorothy’s epic adventures in Oz told as a constellation myth, using imagined patterns of stars in the night sky. Showing in the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday in October.

Haloscream Laser: Guests will experience a dynamic laser show choreographed to classic Halloween tunes like Thriller, Monster Mashand Ghostbusters in the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium.

About the South Carolina State Museum:  As the state’s largest and most comprehensive museum, the South Carolina State Museum, offers a unique, entertaining and educational experience to visitors throughout its 225,000 square foot facility located in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Congaree Vista.  The State Museum is housed in one of its greatest artifacts, an 1894 old textile mill full of character and charm. In addition to beautiful meeting spaces throughout the facility, guests can explore outer space in one of the largest planetariums in the Southeast, watch an interactive 4D movie and look through a vintage telescope in a one-of-a-kind observatory. These exciting opportunities are all in addition to the four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology that guests can experience.  Visit scmuseum.org.

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co.     (s18)