Mary Paschen, one of the organizers for Northwest Indiana's annual Wizard of Oz Festival, describes herself as one of "the caretakers of a dream."

"It's so hard to believe that this festival is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year," said Paschen, who has been with the event for 15 years.

"There are so many people who work together all year round to make this festival happen each year. But it all started with just one person: Jean Nelson."

The festival, which attracts nearly 75,000 people, has grown so large that a few years ago it moved from Chesterton's downtown area to the Porter County Fairgrounds in Valparaiso.

In addition to costume contests, merchandise booths and autograph parties, one popular festival highlight is the Saturday morning parade featuring characters from the books and movie.

But it was the tiny Chesterton shop and "Wizard of Oz" museum owned and operated by Marilyn Zengler that is recognized as the foundation of this festival's beginnings nearly three decades ago.

Originally opened by festival founder Jean Nelson, the shop helped launch the first Wizard of Oz Festival back in 1981 after Nelson heard about Pernell St. Aubin.

St. Aubin, who played a Munchkin in "The Wizard of Oz" movie, owned a bar in Chicago with his wife, Mary Ellen, prompting Nelson to invite the couple to appear at her store for an autograph party. Her friendship with the little couple led to meeting other Munchkins around the country. From there, she decided to create a community festival.

And this year, The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

"This festival continues to grow and thrive because of the family values promoted in the original 1938 classic film and the enduring messages included in L. Frank Baum's books," Paschen said.

"The story of Dorothy and her friends means many different things to many different people all over the world."

Celebrity guests featured at this year's festival are: Munchkin Townswoman/Sleepyhead Munchkin Margaret Pellegrini, 85; Munchkin Lollipop Kid Jerry Maren, 88; Munchkin Trumpeter Karl Slover, who turns 90 on Sept. 21; and little Danny Windsor, reportedly the last surviving actor to play a Flying Monkey in the movie.

Caren Marsh-Doll, Judy Garland's stand-in during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz," also will be at the Yellow Brick Road, signing copies of her new autobiography, "Hollywood's Child: Dancing Through Oz" (Joshua Tree Publishing, $20) from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

You can see her in a number of scenes in the film. Most famously, it's her back profile you see in black and white opening the door of her tornado-tossed Kansas farm house just before the real Garland steps into the fabulous Technicolor landscape of Munchkinland.

Also returning for the festival will be Robert Baum, great-grandson of "The Wizard of Oz" author L. Frank Baum.

Other fun notables joining the festivities include author John Fricke and artist Michael Siewert.

Despite the Yellow Brick Road's three-decade history, Nelson said, many guests still don't realize the back half the shop features the Wizard of Oz Museum, tucked away behind a door.

The displays there chronicle not only the history of the festival, but also the classic 1939 movie that was the inspiration.

"It's like stepping into another world," Nelson said.

"Even people who think they know everything there is to know about the 'Wizard of Oz' learn something new when they visit. For example, Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, visited the festival and the shop back in 1981. We have great photos on display from her visit."