Here’s comes that Jeannie Magic! | The Beachside Resident

Ray Osborne

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Here’s comes that Jeannie Magic!
• Ray Osborne •

Everybody knows the 1960s TV series “I Dream Of Jeannie.” The story begins when an astronaut, Major Tony Nelson, discovers a Genie bottle on a deserted island beach. A blond female named Jeannie vapors out of the bottle, and from then on, astronaut Major Nelson gets all that he wishes, and then some.

Fewer people know that the stars of the show made occasional visits to Florida’s East Coast due to the show’s frequent references to Cocoa Beach and the Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

The “Jeannie Day” celebration made a splash in history as it demonstrated the cooperation of multiple organizations to plan a star-studded event. The first visit from Barbara Eden was on June 27, 1969, when Brevard commissioner Lee Wenner flew his aircraft South to Miami to meet up with the actress who played the character of Jeannie. Lee transported her to Brevard County where he landed his small aircraft at the Merritt Island Airport. The Florida Today newspaper headline read: “Smiling, Wide-Eyed Jeannie Wows ‘Em in Cocoa Beach.”

Barbara’s first activities in the area were pressing a button that launched a weather rocket from Complex 43 at Cape Canaveral and acting as guest of honor in a parade through Cocoa Beach. Later in the evening, she was given a reception at Lee Caron’s Carnival Club where she was showered with gifts, the most remarkable of which was an 8-foot replica of the rocket she launched earlier in the day.

Barbara Eden and cast returned to the Cocoa Beach area on November 25, 1969, for a publicity event to promote the final episode in which a mock wedding was to take place. In attendance were Barbara’s husband Mike Ansara, actor-groom Larry Hagman, the show’s producer Sidney Sheldon, and other cast members. Also at the event were many VIPS, including then FL Governor Claude Kirk, Major General David Jones, and astronaut Gene Cernan.

It would be 27 years before Barbara Eden was to return to the area. A three-day-event in Cape Canaveral called “Space Day at Kennedy Space Center” was held on the second weekend of July 1996. Even the City of Cocoa Beach got involved when city officials commemorated the TV show by declaring a special “Jeannie Day,” which included renaming Primrose Avenue to “I Dream of Jeannie Lane.”

Other Jeannie Days were held in 2004 and 2005 though Barbara was unable to attend. A Jeannie look-alike contest, raffles, and other event were among the festivities.

“Jeannie Day” was reborn in 2009 for the 40th Anniversary of the first visit by the actress. A get together was held at the Surf in Cocoa Beach, the original location of Barbara and cast’s first visit. Among the attendees were participants of previous Jeannie Days who shared their memories. On this occasion, there was a storytelling presentation with historic photos and a raffle drawing for a replica “I Dream of Jeannie” bottle.

The plan is for this year’s “Jeannie Day,” to be held on June 26, is to be even better. A telephone interview with Barbara Eden was recorded and her message will be shared with the residents of the Space Coast. In addition, there will be a Jeannie look-alike contest, a belly-dancing demonstration, a slideshow presentation with storytelling, and a raffle for a replica Jeannie bottle and other collectibles, the proceeds of which will be used to support local historic preservation.

Come join us on June 26 to experience the Jeannie magic at Durango Steakhouse (5602 N. Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to purchase refreshment and/or appetizer or dessert, if not a meal.