(Information in this post can change daily, so check with the individual venues and events for up-to-date information.)

Time to make travel plans! But to where? Of course, the pandemic has canceled some travel plans, others have rescheduled to 2021 and some are still taking place this year. If you’re looking for film and TV travel plans to make now, here are travel events some cancellations and updates:

American Graffiti Festival: If you’re a fan of this iconic 1973 movie, directed by George Lucas and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, and more, it is still taking place this August in Modesta, California. It includes a car show (and you can enter your car), parade, and more. The dates are August 20-22, 2021. You can get more information on the American Graffiti Festival by clicking here.

Goonies: Unfortunately, there will not be any more annual celebrations of the cult classic movie Goonies in Astoria, Oregon. However, you can still travel to Astoria to visit the filming locations from the movie, like this one.

The Wizard of Oz: If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz — and who isn’t — I have some news that hopefully will change and get updated later in the year. The Oz-Stravaganza in Chittenango, New York has been canceled for this year and the museum is currently closed. Not the best thing to know, but maybe you can help them?

From their website: “As you can imagine, the loss of Oz-stravaganza for the second consecutive year is very difficult for our non-profit organization. We welcome any financial support you can offer, large or small. There are numerous ways you can get involved or donate to our foundation,”
Donate here. Become a member here. Buy some Oz goodies here.

The Land of Oz in Beech Mountain, North Carolina opens each year for an August extravaganza, but the details have not been announced yet. That means it also hasn’t been canceled yet. Keep up on the announcements here.

A Must-See!

The Lucille Ball Comedy Fest: Please go! As a die-hard I Love Lucy fan, this was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. I stomped grapes, filmed a Vitameatavegamin commercial and wrapped candies. I also toured Lucy’s hometown and saw memorabilia from the show. The Lucille Ball Comedy Fest will be held Thursday, August 5th through the 7th in Jamestown, New York. And finally, the Comedy Center is now open for visits and shows! For more information, click here.

Star Wars: This year’s annual Star Wars Celebration event will be moved to August 18-21, 2022. Plan ahead to visit when it comes back to the Anaheim Convention Center. Click here for more details.

Twilight: Yes, it’s happening, but the Twilight Festival in Forks is currently sold out, according to their website. Whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, sign up here to be put on the waiting list. The event takes place from September 9 to the 12th. You can listen to a previous episode about the Twilight event in Forks here.

Shawshank Redemption: The Ohio State Reformatory is open for self-guided tours. I don’t see anything about a festival since they had the 25th festival in 2019, but you still can do a self-guided tour and see five rooms of props, costumes, set pieces, and other treasures from the film.

Also see the safe in Warden Norton’s office, Red’s Parole Board room, Andy’s escape tunnels, and more. The dates that the Penitentiary is open have also changed and are now year-round, but different hours at different times of the year. For more information on the tour and the entire Shawshank Redemption drive, visit here.

Mayberry Days: I wish I could whistle well because I would do the opening to the Andy Griffith Show, but you can’t hear it anyway. The Andy Griffith Show is an iconic classic with Andy Griffith and Ron Howard. Howard who got his Hollywood start on the show as the legendary Opie Taylor. Every year, from September 21 to September 26 in Mount Airy, NC.

Mayberry Days is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for the fans who long for the days when life was simple and the sheriff didn’t carry a gun. Enjoy a bottle of pop while playing checkers and relax to music from many local bands playing the same songs that Andy grew up with and performed on The Andy Griffith Show.

Select events and/or locations are subject to change following Governor Cooper’s next update on state pandemic guidelines. Changes will be posted on Facebook and www.surryarts.org. In the case that some events are modified and/or filled to capacity, others will be added.

Rex Allen Days: Known as “the Arizona Cowboy”, Rex Allen was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter; he was also the narrator of many Disney nature and Western productions, including the 1973 animated Charlotte’s Web! For more information on this fun annual event that honors Allen and takes place October 1 to the 3, visit here.

Somewhere in Time: Filmed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in 1979 Somewhere in Time stars Jane Seymour, Christopher Reeve, and Christopher Plummer. Once a year they have a Somewhere in Time weekend event, but you can visit any time of the year. The special weekend is pricey, with rates starting at $1,284 per couple; $1,134 single.

From the website: It’s the perfect time for movie lovers who want to know the cinematic secrets of the timeless romantic classic, and a chance to visit with many people who played a role in the movie. This special weekend includes a screening of the film, discussions of the movie’s production process, and appearances by returning cast and crew. Guests are invited to make a cameo appearance in costume at the cocktail receptions and costume promenade. Breakfast and dinner are also included daily.

For more information, click here.

Dirty Dancing: Unfortunately the Dirty Dancing Festival which takes place every year in September has been postponed for this year.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days: This event has been moved to September 10 & 11, 2022 in Pepin, Wisconsin. For further updates, visit here.

Christmas Plans: Book your holiday travel plans now! You can stay at the house from A Christmas Story in Cleveland, Ohio and see all of the souvenirs and memorabilia from the movie. Or head to Seneca Falls, New York for The Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum historic 75th Anniversary of “It’s a Wonderful Activities take place throughout town. Most are free of charge, except for special dinners and performances. This year the actors who played Zuzu, Janie and Tommy Bailey will be there.

Still looking for other travel plans? Pick up a copy of my book, “On Location: A Film & TV Lover’s Travel Guide,” through Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, New York.