Fairyland @ 75

Oakland Museum

Ongoing – December 7

Travel back in time, not to the origins of humans, but as far back as the origins of Baby Boomers. So many babies, so few places to play. (Even for babies, the park gets boring after a while.) Then in 1950, something special happened. The first of its kind – a place dedicated to the amusement of young children and using storybooks as the theme for its buildings and rides.

That’s right

75 years ago Fairyland opened

the first of its kind children’s theme park.

History

More than just kiddies made the trip to Fairyland. Walt Disney visited and used it as a model for Disneyland, which he opened five years later. Among the children attending opening day was six-year-old Frank Richard Oznowicz. He would return to celebrate Fairyland’s 20th anniversary, by then known better as Frank Oz, the voice of Miss Piggie, Burt, the Cookie Monster and, eventually, Yoda.

Today, you can choose Disneyland, Disney World, Dollywood, Six Flags or Great America, to name just a few places. Most amusement parks are a lot bigger than Fairyland. They all have their merits, but only Fairyland has maintained its kid-friendly size. Visit it as an adult and you feel like you could almost wrap your arms around it.

Moreover, only one place is celebrating its diamond jubilee. One place in the heart of the East Bay. One place that is still affordable. It cost 9¢ in 1950, and the park continues to offer affordable admission, with financial support allowing 4,000 low-income children to attend for free each year. Definitely not the policy at Disney parks.

The Park

Fairyland had everything you needed as a kid: fairytale sets, a carousel, pony rides and a cotton-candy stand. Then and Now, it fulfills its mission – a whimsical place built just for children, where imagination leads the way.

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The Legacy of Magic

The exhibition transforms OMCA into a vibrant homage to Fairyland’s past and its present. Visitors will find a curated timeline tracing Fairyland’s evolution, rare artifacts, a rotating collection of Magic Keys, charming handcrafted miniatures by local artists ,including an original by Ruth Asawa, and even one of the original Jolly Trolly cars – inviting families to climb aboard and imagine the magical rides of yesteryear.

Whether it’s through the “Then & Now” comparisons or the beautifully detailed memorabilia, every piece in the exhibit underscores the lasting impact Fairyland has had on generations of East Bay families. The exhibition is a love letter to Fairyland, our hearts are full as Fairyland has remained steadfast in its mission: to encourage creativity, storytelling, and joyful exploration for children of all backgrounds.