Storybook Land

At Storybook Land, families enjoy a world of imagination inspired by familiar nusery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty and Hickory Dickory Dock.  You can slide down Jack and Jill’s Hill or visit Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Chickens and turkeys roam wild around Old MacDonald’s Barn.  The medieval castle is surrounded by a moat and is guarded by knights in armor.  The entire family will enjoy a ride on the Storybook Land Express miniature train.  A new visitor center opened in 2010 and features a gift shop, concession stand with indoor dining and party rooms that are available for rent for reunions, company outings and birthday party celebrations.  Birthday Party Packages are available.

Land of Oz

The Land of Oz located within Storybook Land portrays the well-known characters and settings of the popular story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” written by L. Frank Baum who once lived and worked in Aberdeen.  Dorothy’s House features a gift shop and offers a simulated tornado experience with special lighting and sound effects.  You can stroll down the yellow brick road, visit Dorothy’s Farmstead and Munchkin Land, take a ride on the 30-horse Allan Herschell carousel, enjoy the Wizard’s Balloon ride which will carry you over 30 feet above the ground or scale the 24-foot tall rock climbing wall. The Dorothy’s House Gift Shop will open May 28 with hours of operation Monday thru Thursday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Hours of operation may vary after August 16.  The gift shop sells Storybook Land and Wylie Park related memorabilia as well as other souvenir items that relate to Aberdeen and South Dakota.

Storybook Land Visitor Center

The Visitor Center opens daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The hours vary in the spring and fall.  There is a gift shop offering Storybook Land and Land of Oz souvenirs and other gifts of interest to park visitors.  A concession stand offers a wide variety of food selections and snacks and an indoor seating area provides park visitors a comfortable indoor seating area to relax on days when the weather is uncomfortable.  An outdoor picnic patio with large umbrellas provides shade for the park visitor.  A visitor information area managed by the Aberdeen Convention and Visitor Bureau provides tourist and visitor information primarily on the Aberdeen area and Northeast Glacial Lakes, as well as major points of interest in South Dakota.  Fully handicap accessible modern restroom facilities are available in the visitor center.

Storybook Land Festival

July 23-24, 2010

The Fifth Annual Storybook Land Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 23 & 24, in Storybook Land in Wylie Park, Aberdeen, SD.  There is no admission charge for this festival that features published children’s authors, storytellers, entertainment and hands on arts and crafts activities.

The festivities will kick off Friday, July 23, at Fables and Fairy Tales with a special performance by Mr. Twister at 10:30 a.m. on the Castle stage.  Friday evening activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with appearances by special guest costumed storybook characters.  At 7 p.m. PBS Kids,  Mr. Steve presented by South Dakota Public Broadcasting will be featured in concert in the Storybook Land Castle.  The concert will end with a free watermelon feed.

On Saturday, July 24, the festival will shift in to full gear at 10 a.m.  Two main stages and numerous other activity locations in Storybook Land will be filled with activity until 4 p.m.  Featured entertainers will be musicians Ham and Burger performing throughout the day.  Author/storyteller Tom Roberts will be joined by authors Kari Kay and Jean Patrick.  Inflatable play structures will join the many attractions in Storybook Land for the festival.  The day will end with an ice cream social at 3:30 p.m.