WAMEGO (KSNT) – Organizers have pushed back the planned ribbon cutting for the “World’s Tallest Toto” after it reportedly suffered some storm damage on its way to Wamego.
Corey Reeves, director of tourism and communications for the Wamego Chamber of Commerce and CVB, told 27 News that a planned ribbon cutting for the statue on the morning of Friday, Oct. 2 is now delayed due to weather-related complications. He said the World’s Tallest Toto sustained damage, possibly due to hail, to its exterior paint and finish while in transit to Wamego on Sept. 30.
The World’s Tallest Toto draws inspiration from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and depicts the character Dorothy Gale’s iconic dog, Toto.
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
(Photo Courtesy/Corey Reeves)
Reeves said the team from Nebraska-based plastic manufacturing business Icon Poly, which put Toto together, are responding to the situation to repair the statue. He also said delays are being prompted by high water levels at Railroad Park, the location where the statue is meant to be installed in.
“It turns Toto into a little more of a ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, right?” Reeves said.
Organizers are now planning to hold the official ribbon-cutting for the Toto statue at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Wamego as part of the OZtoberFest celebrations. Reeves said the statue should be set up by Oct. 2 despite the “witch-melting amount of rain” the area has received this week.
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“When you pull back the curtain, that’s how Wamego Magic actually happens. It’s the work behind the scenes to do big things that make this community so awesome. A place where no one throws in the towel, we grab our tools and talents and go to work.”
OZtoberFest social media post excerpt
Reeves said that in addition to the new statue’s arrival in Wamego, people can expect plenty of exciting events this coming weekend as part of OZtoberFest, including the addition of new items at the Oz Museum. He said two new additions will be unveiled at the museum this weekend: the prototype of the Cowardly Lion’s “courage medal” from “The Wizard of Oz” film and a motorcycle used by one of the flying monkeys in the 1978 movie “The Wiz.”
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