On the Freeway of Love

By C.J. Hirschfield

You’ve probably heard this inspirational quote: Life is measured not by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I recently had a moment that took my breath away, and I wanted to share the experience with you.

A 'Kindred Spirit' Comes to Fairyland's Puppet Fair

By C.J. Hirschfield

The Storybook Puppet Theater at Children’s Fairyland, which raised its curtain in 1956, is the longest continuously operating puppet theater in America. But the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles has been around nearly as long: since 1963. We are both revered institutions in our respective cities. And now, Fairyland is proud to welcome a representative of the Bob Baker Marionettes to our annual Puppet Fair on August 25 and 26.

Bob Baker (1924–2014) began training at age 8 with several puppet companies before he gave his first professional performance. In high school, he began manufacturing marionettes, which he sold in the U.S. and Europe. By the time he was an adult, his puppetry was featured in many TV series and in films such as Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He also provided a place of learning for puppeteers, including Fairyland’s own master puppeteer Randal Metz, who studied with him for three years in the 1980s.

Bob Baker (left) with partner Alton Wood and "birthday dog" puppets. Via Bob Baker Marionette Theater

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is experiencing an exciting transition: it is now a nonprofit organization that will ensure the enduring legacy of its founder. The organization's new executive director is Alex Evans, who worked closely with Bob Baker for almost 10 years.

Sign of the Times

By C.J. Hirschfield

You’d be amazed how many people don’t know Children’s Fairyland exists (or “still exists”). It’s not that we’re a secret, exactly, but our public façade has always been a bit … reserved. If you were driving past our Grand Avenue entrance in a hurry, you could easily miss us.

Well, no longer.

Last Friday, for the first time in Fairyland history – and just in time for our 68^th anniversary on Sept. 2 – we got an entrance sign that does us proud.

And it took only 10 years of planning and 15 months of groundwork.

Scooter Madness

By C.J. Hirschfield

The good news at Lake Merritt: hundreds of young crabs and an increased number of topsmelt fish, striped bass and bat rays have been sighted recently, and a newly repaired aeration unit near the pergola has resulted in a sweeter-smelling environment. “It’s all an indication that the water is doing fairly well,” says Lake Merritt Institute executive director James Robinson.

The not-so-good news: twenty or so electric Lime rental scooters have been fished out of the lake by James and his intrepid volunteer crew over the last few months.

Scooter in Lake Merritt.

Making a MegaMatterhorn

By C.J. Hirschfield

Once upon a time—2006, to be exact—a wonderful artist named Mary Anne Kluth came to work at Children’s Fairyland as our set-restoration painter. (We always have a whimsical set that needs love, attention and brightening.) Who knew that someday Mary Anne would go on to create wildly fantastic and compelling “theme park collages”—and that her new MegaMatterhorn would be featured in our own Oakland Museum of California for a two-year exhibition? We couldn’t be more excited.

The MegaMatterhorn exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California. Photo: Mary Anne Kluth.

I recently asked Mary Anne whether her experience at Fairyland influenced her whole body of work. I was pleased by her answer: “That’s fair to say.”

"Circus Caps for Sale": The Sweetest Show in Town!

By C.J. Hirschfield

The delightful Circus Center is a San Francisco institution, bringing circus arts to our community so that everyone, great and small, can experience the innovation, creativity and wonder of circus. So step right up, ladies and gentlemen, because for the very first time, Children’s Fairyland is partnering with the Center to present “Circus Caps for Sale” under our very own Oakland big top.

And judging by the squeals of dozens of happy children who attended the first performance on the morning of July 7, we’re pretty sure we have a hit on our hands.

Our production of “Circus Caps,” based on the classic children’s books by Esphyr Slobodkina, features not only an array of accomplished performers but also the stage debut of Fairyland’s mini-horse, Pixie.

Fairyland's mini-horse, Pixie, takes a turn in the ring with trainer Corinna Rezzelle.

Weddings ... at Fairyland?

By C.J. Hirschfield

When you think of events at Children’s Fairyland, kids’ birthday parties come immediately to mind.

But weddings?

Yes, indeed. We have eight booked for this season alone. And why not? We are part of the memories of countless kids who are now millennials, the generation born between 1981 and 1997 who now make up 25 percent of the U.S. population. And data show that 50 percent of millennials are more willing to make a purchase from a company if it supports a cause—and our nonprofit park, which has been serving our community’s kids for nearly 68 years is clearly a cause near and dear to the hearts of young people ready to partner up.

Wedding vows in Aesop's Playhouse