Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival

In June, Jackie Jerlecki of Goshen, was crowned Miss Indiana 2011 in Zionsville, Indiana thus becoming the fourth Miss Duneland to take the Miss Indiana crown. On September 16 she’ll become the third Miss Indiana to follow the yellow brick road right into Chesterton for the 30th Annual Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival. Jackie is 22 and a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She’s a vocalist and her platform is “Support the Arts, a Vital Part of a Vibrant Community.” Jackie will represent Indiana (and the Duneland area!) at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas in January of 2012.
In Chesterton, Miss Indiana will participate in the Friday afternoon Emerald City Party in the Park Official Opening Ceremony. She’ll sing the opening song and assist poster artist and award-winning illustrator Rick Ewigleben unveil his limited edition 2011 Oz Poster with her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow!”
Later Friday evening, the Women’s Auxiliary of Chesterton American Legion Post 170 will host a Welcome to Chesterton reception to honor Miss Indiana as well as Rick Ewigleben, artist Joe Shipbaugh, Garland costume curator Michael Siewert, Miss Duneland’s Outstanding Pre-Teen Lindsey Bermingham and American Legion Poppy Princess Abigail Evans. Both Miss Indiana and Miss Duneland’s Outstanding Pre-teen will perform and Ewigleben, Shipbaugh and Siewert will be available to sign autographs. Cameras are welcome!
On Saturday morning, Rick Ewigleben and Miss Indiana Jackie Jerlecki will be featured on a float which will spotlight Rick’s new 2011 Oz Poster in the Horse of a Different Color Parade.