NEXT TO OAKLAND’S Lake Merritt is Children’s Fairyland, a storied play area that will host a 75-year anniversary parade and party for local kids and their families on Monday.
Starting from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Fairyland will celebrate its long history with local artist performances, live music, and a new bilingual puppet show for families. To kick off the celebrations, the entertainment area has partnered with BART for a “Parade to the Birthday Party” that will start at the 19th Street Oakland BART station at 9:30 a.m. and will end at Fairyland.
“This isn’t just a birthday party, it’s our love letter to the generations of families that have supported Children’s Fairyland,” said Kymberly Miller, chief executive officer of Fairyland. “For 75 years, Fairyland has been a place where kids and families fall in love with storytelling, make cherished memories, and feel safe to play, explore, and connect. This celebration honors our past, reflects on our growth, and opens a new chapter in Fairyland’s story.”
In a written statement by Morgan Rothenbaum, Fairyland’s senior director of marketing and communications, she described the influence Fairyland has had on culture.
“On September 2, 1950, Children’s Fairyland opened as the first storybook theme park in the country. The park’s winding paths, whimsical, handcrafted sets, rides, theatre space, and focus on imaginative play were so influential that Walt Disney himself visited the park while planning the creation of Disneyland,” said the statement.
“Since then, Fairyland has remained a cherished part of Oakland’s cultural landscape, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors annually to explore the park’s 10 acres. Over the years, it has grown to include cultural celebrations, literacy programs, puppet education, summer camps, and one-of-a-kind performances that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the Bay Area,” Rothenbaum said.
Public transit operators are excited to get people to Oakland. Both BART and the San Francisco Bay Ferry are planning on helping with the festivities. The anniversary celebration also coincides with the start of Transit Month in September, a time in which public transit is promoted for more people to use.
“We think the Fairyland Birthday Parade is a wonderful way to kick off Transit Month,” said BART spokesperson Chris Filippi. “This event shows how transit can bring communities together.”
SF Bay Ferry will be hosting a free “Fairy Ferry” themed ride that will leave from San Francisco’s Ferry Terminal at 7:30 a.m. and arrive at Oakland’s Jack London terminal.
“It’s a rare opportunity to get to celebrate both a beloved East Bay family institution and the launch of transit month in one fun, coordinated event,” said SF Bay Ferry’s spokesperson Alexis Matsui.
The parade is free and open to all, but to enter Fairyland, families must have a ticket and be accompanying a child.
More information about the Fairyland anniversary celebration can be found at fairyland.org.