Hundreds of people braved triple-digit temperatures to attend a retro anniversary party and fundraiser for one of Sacramento's most unique parks Saturday night.Fairytale Town's golden anniversary party - the outdoor museum and park opened in 1959 - was an evening of 50s-era merriment complete with all-you-could-eat Crystal ice cream, costume parade, live bands and even an Elvis impersonator.
Children dressed in homemade poodle skirts zoomed between the ice cream stations offering different flavors throughout the park as the Tune-Ups (shown above) entertained the crowd with classic hits like "Route 66" and "Rock Around the Clock."
Amber Lyons has been coming to Fairytale Town for more than 30 years. Now, the Sacramento mom brings her three children to the nonprofit park nestled within William Land Park.
The anniversary party is a fun event the family looks forward to each year.
"It's a wonderful way to support Fairytale Town and keep it going for another 50 years," she said.
Her daughter, Sophia Lyons, 7 (friend Lulu Morris, 7 and Sophia are shown at right) with friend Lulu Morris, 7) enjoys one part of the event best of all."The ice cream," she said, dipping her spoon into two scoops of cookies and cream.
Kellie and Galen Hartman and daughters Grace, 4, and Aislynne, 18 months, came from Shingle Springs to attend the party Saturday.
The fundraiser was a first for the Hartmans, who wanted to be part of the celebration and use it as a special way to present Kellie Hartman's sister with her 50th birthday present - a tribute brick that is now part of the Yellow Brick Road leading to Humpty Dumpty gate.
"She's thrilled," Hartman said. "She wants me to take a picture of her and her brick. She's trying to convince her friends to come to Fairytale Town now."
There's still one more chance to celebrate Fairytale Town's 50th anniversary. Entry to the park will be just 50 cents for the first 50 people through the gate today. The promotion was in place every Monday in August.
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