By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

Fairy tales, stories involving romance and happy endings, have been around for thousands of years. They take place “once upon a time” rather than actual time and are about giving the purest love and second chances. They appeal to adults, as well as children, because of all the things we seek to fill our lives with — cars, houses and careers what we really want is true love.

Three years ago, Friends of the Calera Public Library volunteer Rhonda Cracraft and Tammy Burnette, FCPL president, attended a fairy tale ball in Birmingham that left them with the desire to duplicate the enchanting event for our city. With the help of individuals and businesses, the library has successfully hosted two events.

Cracraft said the event gets bigger and better every year. This year’s ball will be interactive, as children will have the opportunity to participate in the sets. Her eyes sparkled as she described the magical transformation that will take place within the library walls February 26.

“I can picture the children’s faces as they walk the plank with Captain Hook and fall off into the foam pit, are pulled into the rabbit hole by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, dance with the Three Little Pigs, slide down with the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe and explore Emerald City.”

New this year is the princess tea held at the community center at 2 p.m. A $10 reserved ticket is required.

Attendees will spend the afternoon with fairy tale princesses and receive an etiquette lesson from a princess and maiden from Castle Tea House in Birmingham on inward beauty. Each attendee will go home with a crown.

Prior to the tea, a buffet breakfast will be served at the center at 10 a.m. for guests with a $10 reserved ticket. Children will meet and mingle with their favorite fairy tale characters. Each child will receive a commemorative mug.

The evening ball is free to the public. Cinderella and Prince Charming will arrive at the library in a horse-drawn pumpkin carriage at 6 p.m. to commence the magical, fun-filled evening. Carriage rides are available that evening and at the princess tea for $5 a person.

“Charles Hunt, our fundraiser guru, has done a fabulous job drawing sponsors for the event. We owe him a big thanks,” Cracraft said.

Contact the library at 668-3514 for more information and to make reservations.

Mollie Brown can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.