September 1: Join BART for Fairyland’s Big Birthday Party Parade from 19th St. Station
Children’s Fairyland is turning 75, and BART is helping the beloved Oakland institution celebrate!
On Monday, September 1, BART will help kickstart Fairyland’s 75th Birthday Party with a joyful sidewalk parade through the heart of Oakland. Fairyland is a BARTable partner.
Families, friends, neighbors, and community partners will gather at 19th St./Oakland Station at 9:30am and walk together along Broadway, down 21st Street and the Lake Merritt Trail, and end at the front gates of Fairyland just in time for the party to begin.
The BARTmobile will greet paradegoers in front of Fairyland, wearing a special birthday hat and ready for photos with fans. The BART mascot will be surrounded by balloons, a giant rainbow parachute game, circus performers, and more. Once inside, guests will enjoy a full day of activities, entertainment, food, music, and birthday magic.
This short community parade is intended to promote public transit, energize Downtown Oakland, and build excitement for the big birthday bash. AC Transit and the San Francisco Bay Ferry will also be on hand to celebrate.
Everyone is encouraged to ride transit, walk, or roll to the parade. Costumes (and BART swag!), signs, and noisemakers are encouraged.
Please note: The parade is free and open to all, but entry into Fairyland for the 75th Birthday Party requires purchased tickets. All guests must be accompanied by a child to enter the park, unless they are a registered community partner with an activation during the celebration.
Visit Fairyland’s website for more info on what to expect at the birthday party and to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets will be sold at the door.
What: Fairyland’s Big Birthday Party Parade
Time: 9:30am to 10:00am
Start/end: 19th St. Station → Children’s Fairyland front gates
Walk time: About 15 minutes
Let us know you’re coming: BARTFairylandParade.eventbrite.com (RSVPing is optional)
Driving ridership through community partnerships
The Fairyland Big Birthday Party Parade is part of BART Marketing’s efforts to boost ridership and foster stronger ties with local communities through strategic partnerships. BART partners with over 250 local organizations annually, helping to significantly expand the reach of our messaging. These partnerships come at no cost to BART and promote that taking BART is fun, in addition to being convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly.
Since the pandemic, ridership on nights and weekends is growing faster than commute ridership. While people may not be going into the office as often as they used to, they are going to games, shows, museums, and other fun events that can only be experienced in person. Our partnerships lean into this.
Discover more BARTable fun at bart.gov/bartable and check out our Rider Guides page with tips for how to get to local sports and entertainment venues by BART.