By MOLLIE BROWN / Community Columnist

Once again, it’s time for young ladies to dust off their tiaras and young men to saddle their white horses. The annual Roy Downs Memorial Calera Library is hosting its fifth annual Fairy Tale Ball March 2. The ball will be held in two events. Preschool children will have the chance to meet and interact with storybook characters from 1-3 p.m. The same event will be held that evening from 6-8 p.m. for all ages.

“The ball is put on solely by volunteers ages 15 and up, along with the Friends of the Library group,” Friends of the Library President Rhonda Cracraft said. “In past years, we’ve hosted a character breakfast and princess tea prior to the ball, but this year we decided to focus entirely on the ball because of the overwhelmingly large attendance at the event. That is why we will do the exact same event twice that Saturday.”

This year’s ball will feature characters from “The Jungle Book” and “The Little Mermaid,” along with Merida and the Scottish villagers from “Brave.” Kids will walk through a mist and hanging vines to get to the jungle where Mowgli, Baloo and King Louie await. They will be transported under the sea to search for treasures with Scuttle and Flounder and to help find Ariel.

Cracraft encourages everyone to take a minute to visit with the Scottish men who will teach them how to improve their archery skills. To complete the experience, award-winning bagpiper Dallas Key will play in the center of the library to surround ball guests with the sounds of Scotland.

“The night will not be over until our guests meet our professional dancer in a spontaneous flash mob, so be prepared to show off your moves!” Cracraft said. “As always, Cinderella’s horse drawn carriage will be waiting outside to take guests on a starry night joy ride. The event is free, but the carriage ride is $5 per person.”

Call the library at 668-3514 for more information and or email: jgreathouse@calera.org.