Two years ago, the James Prendergast Library hosted its first ever Haunting at the Library fundraising event. And for the last two years each annual event has sold out. Pictured is the assembled cast of crew members, board members, volunteers who made the events fun, educational and highly interactive. This year’s event is scheduled to take place Oct. 26. Submitted Photo

“Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road. Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow brick road.”

The song was made popular by the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. and is a catchy and historic tune.

Chances are that this popular jingle will conjure up images of the movie for some, and coincidentally, the yellow brick road leads not to the “land of Oz”, but instead to 509 Cherry St. and the James Prendergast Library.

The library will host its third Annual Haunting at the Library Tour/Fundraising event, Oct. 26. Tickets go on sale today and can be purchased at the library’s front desk. During the day of the event, walking tours will have 25 spots on a first-come, first-served basis, and run every half hour starting at 2 p.m. with the last tour starting at 7:30 p.m.

The last two iterations of this event sold out, and the library staff encourages interested individuals and groups to purchase tickets early.

“We decided to do something a little different this year,” said Prendergast Library Executive Director Anne Greene. “Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz, so we’re doing our own take on it that is based on the book rather than the movie.”

Greene said last year’s Haunting at the Library Event revolved around the literary characters from story books such as The Headless Horseman (Legend of Sleepy Hollow); Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) and Sherlock Holmes (from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories.) She also talked about the fun the program participants and library staff have as well putting on this literary tour-showcase.

“We sell out every year. It really is a wonderful event that people seem to love. And I know our staff has a lot of fun putting it together,” said Greene. “This year, attendees will go on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road and meet a variety of characters from the Land of Oz.”

Greene also said that the library will be closed on Oct. 26 for the event. Any checked out materials can be returned to the library’s outdoor book drop, Oct. 25 after 7 p.m. until Oct. 28 before 9 a.m. Materials returned in the drop box will be backdated to Oct. 25.

For more information visit prendergastlibrary.org or call 716-484-7135.