Oaklanders relive their childhood at Fairyland for Grownups

Normally, adults may enter Children’s Fairyland only when accompanied by a child. But on Aug. 14, the theme park bent the rules for its 14th annual Fairyland for Grownups. 

“Our core business is children, ages one to seven is really the sweet spot,” Fairyland CEO Kymberly Miller said. “But, as this event shows, we really love to engage the whole spectrum of humans.”

‘The chance to be a kid again’

Opened in Oakland in 1950, Children’s Fairyland was the country’s first storybook theme park designed specifically for young children. Since then, its storybook gardens, fairytale rides, nursery-rhyme-themed sets, and puppet theatre have inspired several similar amusement parks like Disneyland. 

Fairyland for Grownups, though, is meant to enchant and inspire a completely different audience. 

“We want to make sure that we give people, whether they have children in their lives or not, the chance to be a kid again,” Miller said. “We love to entertain the 21-plus crowd and help people remember their childhood.”

Young at Heart

Co-hosted with Oaklandish, Fairyland for Grownups is the park’s signature adults-only event. But while guests had to be 21 and older, that didn’t stop them from playing into the charm. 

For their part, Christina Magnani and Ryan Calkins arrived dressed as gnomes. 

“It’s a fun, nostalgic night to relive my childhood,” said Magnani, 33, who’s attended the event for six years. 

Calkins, 31, called the evening “fun escapism.”

“It’s hard to remember my hard day at work when I’m literally dressed up like a gnome,” Calkins said from behind his fake beard.

‘It’s hard to throw a party like this’

Fairyland’s storybook sets remained open, while its rides and child-sized attractions were closed due to height and weight restrictions. Guests could enjoy cocktails, DJ sets, live art, and food from local vendors.

Tyranny Allen, owner of Winky-Dinky Dogs, returned to cater the event for a fourth year. 

“With the economy being so warped, it’s hard to throw a party like this,” Allen said. “This is a great event. I mean, I get to serve people that are my people.”

Miller said the event’s value goes beyond the financial benefits. 

“The big reward is the community experience we’re offering everybody,” Miller said. “That full-circle experience of Fairyland being here for people as children and also when they’re adults, that’s just as good as money for us.” 

Costumed in full Mad Hatter regalia, regular Fairyland volunteer Lela McKenna said Fairyland reminds her of both her childhood and her children. With these memories, she said, money is the last thing on her mind.

“I think this is the most magical place on earth,” McKenna said. “I like it more than Disneyland.”