This Saturday, come celebrate a Sacramento institution's 50th anniversary with Fairytale Town's Crystal Rockin' Royal 50th Anniversary Bash.

The park's annual fundraising celebration got a vintage makeover to celebrate its 50 year landmark, said Fairytale Town's Theatre Arts Educator and Community Relations Coordinator John Lee.

"Traditionally it has been called A Midsummer Night's Dream. Crystal has been sponsoring it for several years and has always supplied all-you-can-eat ice cream," Lee said. "What we have done this year, because it was our 50th anniversary and we opened in 1959, is make it '50s-themed."

According to Fairytale Town's website, the park was dedicated as a gift to the children of the central valley of Sacramento by community and business leaders as well as the Junior League of Sacramento on Aug. 29, 1959. In 1997, after more than 35 years of city management, Fairytale Town became the operation it remains today, a nonprofit board-run organization.

The celebration will get a '50s-style start as an Elvis impersonator is set to begin the night at 5:15 p.m. He will perform a 15-minute set, Lee said, and be available for a brief meet and greet after.

After Elvis leaves the building, the Tune Ups will take the stage to play classic rock and oldie favorites. There will be an open area for dancing, and representatives from the Arthur Murray dance studio will be stepping up to demonstrate some dance moves, Lee said.

Aside from live music, the event will feature a Hula Hoop competition, Silly Putty station and a vintage car display courtesy of the California Auto Museum. Participants are encouraged to come in their best '50s gear, as there will be a costume parade.

The event sponsor, Crystal, will be serving seven different flavors of ice cream at different stations. The frozen dessert is all you can eat, Lee said, so "get ready to eat some ice cream."

The fundraising event, Lee said, is for the entire family. Beer and wine will be available for adults, and there will also be an opportunity to win a necklace and earring set from Tiffany & Co, valued at $400. A $20 donation will enter event-goers into a drawing that will be announced toward the end of the evening.

Fairytale Town is an invaluable tradition for Sacramento children and their families Lee said. In an increasingly technological world, the fact that its interactive hands-on nature is still relevant is definite cause for celebration.

"We are the Land Park landmark! We've been here for 50 years and represent a retro traditional family amusement park," Lee said. "We also consider ourselves a literacy museum. We are keeping all the old play-sets alive as well as all the old connections to the original literary source material."

"This is old-school stuff. No video games, no TV and no rides. It's full-on just climbing and running and sliding and nursery rhymes," Lee said.

 

WHAT: Fairytale Town's 50th Anniversary Bash
WHERE: Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive
WHO: all ages
WHEN: 5-9 p.m., Aug. 29

Tickets purchased before tomorrow are $19.59 for adults and $5 for kids (3-12).
At the door, tickets will be $25 for adults and $5 for kids.

Tickets can be purchased at Fairytale Town's website

Photo Credit to John Lee.