Yellow brick road to wind through Garland

On Saturday, visitors to the Garland neighborhood in northwest Spokane may definitely feel like they’re not in Kansas anymore – or Spokane, either. That’s because for one day only, the Garland business district will be transformed into the land of Oz for the seventh annual Garland Street Fair.

“We’re painting a yellow brick road down Garland,” said Sue Bradley, owner of the Tinman Gallery and the Ruby Slipper. “This year there will be a balloon rainbow at each end.” The street will be closed to traffic from Monroe to Howard.

With the Garland Theatre at its core, and the Ruby Slipper and Tinman Gallery nearby, the Wizard of Oz theme seems to have stuck. This is the third year the event has featured the theme, and that’s just fine with event co-chair Tracy Mielke, owner of the Bead Addict’s Attic. “I love it,” she said. “People – both older and younger – dress up. There are lots of Dorothys, and last year I saw a Tin Man and a Scarecrow.”

Many of those Dorothys compete in the Judy Garland impersonation contest. “You have to karaoke ‘Over the Rainbow,’ ” Bradley said. “We mostly get Dorothy, but last year we got the drugged-out Judy from the ’60’s. She was the best singer.” Bradley hastened to add that the fair is an event for all ages. Even the family dog can enter the Toto look-alike competition.

The kids’ carnival games are always a big draw. “The most popular game is the Plate Break,” said Bradley. It’s not often that kids are encouraged to smash dishes. “It usually shuts down early because we run out of plates.”

Co-chair Amy Cutler, of Garland Church, said sprinklers and misters will be on hand in case of hot weather. Cutler coordinates the volunteers from Garland Church and Olive Branch Community who are an essential ingredient of the popular event. “The main reason we do what we do is to be good neighbors to this Garland District,” she said. “There are a lot of great businesses and people in this friendly place. We really want to see them succeed.”

A key part of the successful street fair is the kids’ art activities. Local artist Sami Perry has lots of fun planned for the younger set. Children can make their own Glenda the Good Witch wand, or craft Tin Man heart lapel pins. New this year is the Horse of a Different Color craft. Children will trace or draw a horse and then paint it as many colors as they wish. Kids also can make a ruby slipper lapel pin and craft their own poppies or crowns.

“The most enjoyable thing for me is seeing the creativity emerging from the kids. They are amazing little beings,” Perry said.

Children won’t be the only artists at the fair. Each year dozens of local artisans display their wares. Mielke said everything from pottery to woodwork to glass art will be available. “We’ve added 15 new artists,” she said.

Bradley got into the theme of things by sponsoring an Oz-Vitational in honor of the 70th anniversary of the movie’s release.

“I asked 70 artists to give me a piece inspired by the movie,” she said.

The works are on display at the Tinman Gallery, including a piece by Harold Balazs called “Picasso’s Design for the Tin Man Costume.”

A huge part of the Garland Street Fair is the entertainment. This year organizers will set up three stages that will feature a variety of bands throughout the day. Bradley is looking forward to hearing Coeurimba, a high-energy marimba band. “They rock out,” she said.

Last year an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 folks followed the yellow brick road, and organizers expect at least that many this year. Attendees may not find the Wizard, but they are sure to discover a good time.