On Sunday, Dec. 1, parents and children flocked to the Mitchell Park Community Center for the Oakland Fairyland and San Francisco Chamber Orchestra’s Nutcracker “Sweet.” Returning for its 12th year, the event is a puppet show take on the classic “The Nutcracker,” accompanied by a section of SFCO.

Puppeteers Randall Metz and Rhonda Godwin drafted the play. The two had a strong emotional tie to the performance and community built through rehearsal.

“The Nutcracker is colorful and beautiful,” Godwin said. “It captivates children because there’s constantly something happening.”

Audience member Janet Stromberg, who attended the event for the first time, enjoyed having a day out with her granddaughter.

“I loved it,” she said. “We came here, went to this incredible playground and ate at Ada’s Cafe before the performance.”

SFCO, who hosts free events, worked in collaboration with Fairyland, a children’s amusement park, during the production.Their featured  subsection included violin, viola, cello, bass and harp. Throughout his experience, SFCO marketing manager Thomas Kurtz enjoyed working with the Nutcracker “Sweet” staff.

“I really think it brings people together around the holiday season,” he said.