Minnesota 1, Indiana 0

We have more First Trumpeter munchkins at our state fair.

Some friends were visiting in town and we took them to the Minnesota State Fair. One of my friends is famous for his small bladder and went underneath the grandstand to find a bathroom. Along the way, he stumbled across a booth with Karl Slover, who as we all know is famous for playing the First Trumpeter in Wizard of Oz.

So my friend never did use the restroom as he got too distracted with the chance to talk to an 85 year-old midget. When my friend asked Slover's authograph he was told Slover would be happy to sign a framed picture of himself he was selling for $20.00.

My friend came back without having used the bathroom, without an autographed photo of Karl Slover and $20 to spend on mini donuts.



Image from www.teddwebb.com


Anyway, it seems like we're a little friendlier to the the little people up here in Minnesota compared to the other states of of the Midwest.

link
From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Munchkin who appeared at State Fair 'disinvited' from Indiana event
September 1, 2004

CHESTERTON, Ind. -- Two top Munchkins won't be taking the Yellow Brick Road to Chesterton's annual Oz Festival this month because of a contract dispute.

Jerry Maren, who played the Lollipop Kid in ``The Wizard of Oz,'' and Karl Slover, who played the First Trumpeter in the 1939 musical, have been regular attendees at past festivals in the town about 15 miles east of Gary. Maren appeared this week at the Minnesota State Fair.
But the two former Munchkins were ``disinvited'' this year following a flap over their agent's request that organizers pay his travel expenses, said Karen Spallina, president of Lakeshore Festival and Events.

Two other former Munchkins - Margaret Pellegrini and Clarence Swensen - still are scheduled to attend the Sept. 17-19 festival.

In the past, organizers have dealt directly with the former Munchkins, Spallina said. But this year Maren and Slover referred her to their agent, Ralph Zellem.

Former Munchkins receive $750 for their weekend visit, plus paid airfare, hotel and meals, Spallina said.

However, Zellem wanted organizers to pay his expenses as Slover's traveling companion and allow him to set up a booth to sell Munchkin merchandise, said Spallina, who refused both requests.
The festival traditionally has paid for Munchkins' traveling companions, but has a policy against including promoters, she said.

``This is a festival for the Munchkins,'' Spallina said. ``We want to keep our focus on that.''