Jack Pentes is brought to the top of Beech Mountain to come up with an idea of how to make it a summer attraction. He saw the natural terrain, tall emerald grass, and twisted trees, and said it was The Land of Oz. At the same time, land was leased from the Page Hufty Family, who had recently acquired it, to begin site plans and design concepts for Oz.
March 14, 2025
Dear Land of Oz Community,
Over the past few years, Autumn at Oz has grown tremendously, with increasing attendance and expanded programming. This success has been exciting and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved. However, as our event has evolved, we face new challenges in maintaining the high standard of experience that our guests expect.
Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on North Carolina, we’ve been reminded of the critical importance of long-term sustainability and preparedness. With that in mind, we’ve made the difficult decision to place Autumn at Oz on pause for 2025 in order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the event and the park itself.
Our goal is to reopen in 2026, but before moving forward, we must thoroughly evaluate key aspects of Autumn at Oz, including guest experience, operations, infrastructure, and overall event sustainability. This pause will allow us to make thoughtful decisions that protect the magic of the event.
We understand this is disappointing news, but it is a necessary step for the continued success of Autumn at Oz and The Land of Oz. We deeply appreciate your dedication and contributions to making this event so special. During this evaluation period, we will keep you informed with updates about our plans for 2026 and beyond.
The Land of Oz remains a treasured part of our region’s history, and we are actively exploring ways to share it with visitors in new and meaningful ways.
Thank you for your continued support.
The Land of Oz Team
