Scroll through Fairytale Town’s magical history, and learn how it became the beloved storybook park you’ve come to know and love!
Donate today if you’d like to help non-profit Fairytale Town continue to serve the Sacramento community by inspiring imagination, creativity, and literacy of the children and families who visit!
It All Started With An Idea
January 2, 1955
Disneyland opens to great fanfare in Anaheim, California. A few hundred miles north, ideas are stirring with the Junior League of Sacramento, a civic-minded women’s service group. Studying the success of both Disneyland and Fairyland, a children’s storybook park in Oakland, the JLS begins laying the groundwork for a project…
Read moreMiniature Models
January 2, 1956
Friends of Fairytale Town., Inc., is formed as an advisory board to the City of Sacramento on the project. The board commissions miniature scale models and seeks donations. The first brochure explains that the new park would “…depict classics in children’s literature and be among the child’s first contacts with…
Read moreBreaking Ground
October 2, 1958
Construction begins with the help of local school children who grabbed their shovels and broke ground on Fairytale Town. Photo Credit: The League Lite
Read moreConstruction Continues
June 2, 1959
Construction continues through the summer of 1959 on classic playsets such as Farmer Brown’s Barn, King Arthur’s Castle, and The Cheese Stands Alone. Photo Credit: The League Lite
Read moreGrand Opening
August 29, 1959
The magical land of Fairytale Town opened in William Land Park! More than 17,000 people visit during opening weekend. Among the original play sets on the grounds: The Crooked Mile, The Cheese Stands Alone, Farmer Brown’s Barn, Owl’s House, Cinderella’s Carriage, King Arthur’s Castle, and the Children’s Theater. Opening weekend…
Read moreBirthday Parties
September 24, 1959
Birthday parties begin at Fairytale Town. Fairytale Town provided a decorated cake with candles, ice cream, punch, utensils, a card for the birthday child to be signed by party goers, and a recreation leader to conduct the royal birthday party. Today, Fairytale Town still hosts magical birthday parties that children…
Read moreThe First Egg Hunt
April 2, 1960
Fairytale Town planned their very first egg hunt. During this event children could also meet the Easter Bunny, watch a play in the Children’s theater, and watch dancers perform. The fun continues today with Fairytale Town’s Spring Eggstravaganza, a weekend of egg hunts, games, theater shows, and more! Photo…
Read moreFairytale Town’s 1st Birthday
August 30, 1960
Fairytale Town celebrates its one-year anniversary and introduces a new playset, Jack & Jill Hill, where children would wander up the hill to pump a pail of water then slide down the hill. Photo Credit: Unknown
Read moreThe Urashima Taro Japanese Garden
August 2, 1961
The Urashima Taro Japanese Garden opened on Fairytale Town’s second birthday and was created around the Japanese legend of the Fisherman and the Turtle. The garden was designed by Nagao Sakurai, a former landscape architect at the imperial palace in Tokyo, and assistant Ted Ikemoto. It was sponsored by John…
Read moreHumpty Dumpty Arrives
August 30, 1962
Humpty Dumpty takes his place atop the stone arch entryway on Fairytale Town’s 3rd birthday. He has welcomed four generations — and counting — into the magical world of Fairytale Town. Photo Credit: The Sacramento Bee
Read moreThe Rabbit Hole Slide
August 30, 1963
Go down the Rabbit Hole! Fairytale Town opens the Rabbit Hole slide for their fourth birthday anniversary celebration. Photo Credit: The Sacramento Bee
Read moreThe 1 Millionth Visitor Arrives
August 1, 1964
The one millionth child stepped into Fairytale Town to have a magical day with her family. Two-year-old Janet Cory was given a scroll and crown, which were bestowed by a fairy godmother. Photo Credit: The Sacramento Bee
Read moreThe Little Engine That Could
January 2, 1965
The Little Engine That Could playset was created in memory of Dr. Lester Brownell who served on the Fairytale Town board of directors from the time of its organization till December 1965. Photo Credit: Unkown
Read moreThe Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe
January 2, 1968
The Old Woman Who Lived In a Shoe slide, still the tallest at Fairytale Town, is introduced and quickly becomes the park’s reigning speed ride. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreOur Hippo
January 2, 1971
The Hippo Drinking fountain was created and placed near Farmer Brown’s Barn. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreThe 5 Millionth Visitor Arrives
January 2, 1977
In its 18th year, Fairytale Town welcomed its 5 millionth visitor through the gates. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreKing Arthur’s Castle Is Updated
January 2, 1980
King Arthur’s Castle was originally built with no roof. So, in 1980 a roof was installed to cover the royal court! This was a gift from the Junior League of Sacramento Inc. and was made possible by the generous donations from numerous businesses and people within the community. Photo…
Read moreDogwod Tree Planted
January 2, 1981
A dogwood tree was planted in front of King Arthur’s Castle in memorial to Helen Mering Ray, who inspired the creation of Fairytale Town. She was a founding board member from 1959 – 1981. Photo Credit: The Sacramento Bee
Read moreSherwood Forest Is Built
January 2, 1982
Sherwood Forest was added to Fairytale Town with the help of a multitude of sponsors. The Forest is an open play area with a large round table for gatherings to take place. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreThe First Safe And Super Halloween
October 2, 1986
Fairytale Town hosts its first Safe and Super Halloween weekend. This event continues to be popular among the community today and is hosted every year during October. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreMother Goose
January 2, 1987
The Mother Goose playset was created by award winning San Francisco artist Lorraine Vail. The playset was unveiled on March 15 at a celebration featuring a juggler, magicians, and storytellers. Photo Credit: Lorraine Vail
Read moreThe Box Office
January 2, 1989
A gift shop was re-purposed and created into the Box Office. Fairytale Town would hand out admission tickets through the Box Office for the next 30+ years. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreFarmer Brown’s Tractor
January 2, 1992
Farmer Brown’s tractor is placed by his barn. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreJack And The Beanstalk
January 2, 1997
Jack and the Beanstalk along with the Giant’s Foot were playsets created in memory of Franco J. Bilotta and with donations made by the community. Photo Credit: The Goodness
Read moreFairytale Town Becomes A Non-Profit
January 2, 1997
The City of Sacramento and Friends of Fairytale Town, Inc. design a Partnership Agreement, making Fairytale Town a board-run, non-profit organization. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreMr. McGregor’s Garden
January 2, 1998
Mr. McGregor’s Garden is opened and has up to 40,000 school children visit each year for hands-on learning at Fairytale Town. The Garden features four growing beds where seasonal fruits and vegetables are planted, and guests get to help water the plants! It also hosts birthday parties in the arbor-shaded…
Read moreRenovated Urashima Taro Japanese Garden
January 2, 2000
The Urashima Taro Japanese Garden set is renovated thanks to the Sacramento Senator Lions Club. The Lions Club continues to maintain the garden today by volunteering their time during an annual work day in the Garden. Photo Credit: Dina Heidrich
Read moreRenovated Sherwood Forest
January 2, 2003
Sherwood Forest is renovated to include a playground-style climbing fort. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreMother Goose Stage
January 2, 2005
Flanked by towering stacks of storybooks, the Mering Family Mother Goose Stage is unveiled, bringing a colorful outdoor backdrop to a year-round stream of performances including author readings, live music, dance performances, and more!
Read moreThe Yellow Brick Road
January 2, 2008
Fairytale Town installs the first phase of its latest playset; a winding Yellow Brick Road leading up to Humpty’s Gate. The Yellow Brick Road is made up of commemorative bricks purchased by hundreds of families and organizations. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreOur 50th Anniversary
August 30, 2009
Fairytale Town celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Significant improvements are made for the year of celebration, including replacing the chain link and barbed wire fence with a wrought iron fence, replacing all the asphalt walkways with concrete, and painting the moat. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreThe New Little Engine That Could Playset
January 2, 2013
A second The Little Engine That Could playset is opened for double the fun! The latest playset was designed by local artist Shane Grammer, and reflects the imagery from the classic book. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreRenovated Sherwood Forest
January 2, 2013
Sherwood Forest is renovated once again to become a larger climbing fort for Robin Hood, his Merry Men, and visitors alike. Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreRenovated Farmer Brown’s Barn
August 2, 2014
Farmer Brown’s Barn is repainted and renovated for visitors to enjoy viewing the farm animals and sliding down slides. The renovations included adding a chicken coop to the barn, new wildlife exhibits, and more! Photo Credit: Fairytale Town
Read moreAnansi’s Web Opens
September 7, 2018
The Anansi’s Web playset opens—the first new playset in 21 years! The playset is based on the West African folktales of Anansi the spider, the keeper of all stories and wisdom. The play structure was designed, created, and installed by artist Garr Ugalde. The new playset was made possible thanks…
Read moreLooking to the Future
August 29, 2019
Millions of children have grown up at Fairytale Town during our nearly 60-year history. Now, Fairytale Town is getting ready to grow! Fairytale Town has already expanded by one half-acre, paved new smooth pathways, added new lampposts, and an additional large turnstile exit located near Farmer Brown’s Barn. On its…
Read more