Follow the Yellow Brick Road to return to the Land of Oz this June

The theme park, located on top of Beech Mountain, has been out of commission since 1980, but has offered members of the public a chance to visit on select days for the past four years. This year, limited access to the park will be available on June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 30.

According to the park’s website, visitors will start their journey at the Fountain of Youth, where they will be asked to “drop all inhibitions and remember your childhood.”

Guests will then join a tour, led by Dorothy herself, where they will have the opportunity to skip down the Yellow Brick Road through the Land of Oz to search for the wizard.

The event is described as an interactive experience where visitors may get the chance to play the roles of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion or the Wicked Witch.

The theme park, which features a scale replica of Auntie Em’s house and the witch’s castle, opened on June 15, 1970, but was only operational for about a decade.

According to the park’s website, one of the key figures behind the Land of Oz’s creation succumbed to cancer two months before the grand opening. The company that financed the park went bankrupt in 1973 and a fire in 1975 destroyed the amphitheater inside the Emerald City as well as surrounding shops and restaurants.

During the fire, many original film costumes on display in the park, including the iconic gingham dress worn by Judy Garland, were stolen.

A new management company took over in 1976, but the park eventually fell into disrepair and owners made the decision to close in 1980 rather than spend more than $3.5 million on refurbishment.

Tickets for the Land of Oz “Family Fun Month” go on sale April 20, but the park website did not list prices. Tickets for last year’s event were $12.50.

Later this year, the Land of Oz will also offer an event called the Autumn at Oz festival. According to the park’s website, the 3-day event will take place in September and feature characters from the story as well as a petting zoo, museum exhibit, performances and a new Emerald City layout.