Theatre company celebrates 12th annual Bob Baker Day

Bob Baker Marionette Theatre celebrated its 12th annual Bob Baker Day at the Los Angeles Historic State Park on Sept. 20.

Bob Baker Day was created to celebrate and honor founder Bob Baker and his legacy of bringing puppetry to children and families. 

The festival has many traditional carnival aspects such as vendors, food trucks and multiple events happening throughout the day such as a kids talent show, band performances and original puppet shows.

Puppeteers from the theatre walked throughout the festival showcasing a wide range of puppets from small manual figures to big float like ones.

“It brings so much joy and happiness,”said Brisa Sisk, a full-time puppeteer at the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre. “I can’t express how much it brings me joy and I want to share it with everybody.” 

^{Funk Wizard, left, and his puppet listen to Logan Hone, right, playing his saxophone during the Bob Baker Day 2026 event at Los Angeles Historic State Park on Sept. 20. Bob Baker Day is an annual festival thrown by the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre to celebrate its founder. (Araceli Juarez)}

“The festival has brought a lot more publicity towards the theatre and is helping revitalize the art of marionettes and puppeteering,” Sisk said.

This year’s celebration was memorable after the nonprofit theatre faced rising rent prices that threatened to either close down or relocate the theater.

Through community efforts and donations, the theatre secured its location in Highland Park with a plan to buy the theatre instead of renting. 

“We came today because we’ve always wanted to come to the theatre,” attendee Maryland Lopez said. “And now that my son is 6, these kinds of events help him socialize more.”

^{Contortionist, Sajda Sims, performing in front of attendees during Bob Baker Day 2026 event at Los Angeles Historic State Park on Sept. 20. Bob Baker Day is an annual festival thrown by the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre to celebrate its founder. (Araceli Juarez)}

That sentiment was shared by parents at the festival, as the theatre provides original age-appropriate productions for children that get them away from screens.

“I came because I love puppets! Why else would I come?,” says 6-year-old Elvis Tapoya.

This year’s Bob Baker Day was postponed to September due to weather forecasts that had heavy downpour for its original date in mid April.

Bob Baker Day continues to put smiles on children and adults faces and encourages attendees to RSVP for future events to keep the festivities free and open to all.