CHITTENANGO, N.Y. (AP) – The central New York birthplace of the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is gearing up for its annual three-day celebration of everything Oz as the classic movie based on the book turns 75.

The 36th Oz-Stravaganza! starts Friday in Chittenango in Madison County. The village 15 miles east of Syracuse is the hometown of L. Frank Baum, who published the first book in his Oz series in 1900.

The grand marshal for the festival’s Saturday afternoon parade is Baum’s great-grandson, Roger Baum. The festival draws about 20,000 Oz fans to Chittenango.

Chittenango’s All Things Oz Museum officially opened Wednesday in a new, larger location.

The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland opened in U.S. theaters 75 years ago this August.

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AP-WF-06-04-14 1047GMT

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