Family Fun Planned for Fairy Tale Ball

Danna Sue Walker 02/13/1996

“Why can’t I go?” wailed 4-year-old Keith Johnson as his mother, Adair, was getting ready to attend a local charity ball one recent evening.

An explanation of “it’s just for grown-ups” did little to soothe the tot who started crying and said, “Why can’t they make a ball that kids can come to?”

Well, why can’t we?, thought Adair — and that’s where the germ of the idea started for what will be a journey into the world of castles and kings, fairies, princesses and magical things. Keith gets to go to this one, and so do you. Moms and dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, get ready for The Fairy Tale Adventure — a Ball for the Whole Family set from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 16 at the Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place.

Adair, chairwoman of the event to benefit Children’s Day Nursery, said the ball seemed a perfect way to help celebrate the 80th anniversary year of the nursery, founded in 1915 to help families stay off welfare by providing affordable child care. “The nursery is my favorite volunteer activity,” Adair said. “It really appeals to my sense of justice to know I am helping people who want to work and who want to make life better for their children.”

Here’s what to expect at The Fairy Tale Adventure. All guests — kids and adults — may come dressed as a character from a favorite fairy tale or storybook. It’s all part of the adventure.

The Madcap Puppet Theater of Cincinnati, which uses life-sized and larger puppets, will perform “Funny Fairy Tales — Hansel & Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood.” Darn Good & Funny, national award-winning jugglers from Norman, will serve as court jesters, and the Great Bradini will appear as Merlin the Magician.

Children will be able to create jeweled crowns and family coats of arms, a feast fit for little kings and queens is planned, and Erwin Photography will be on hand to capture the moments. Novel Idea Discount Books will host a book sale at the ball to benefit the nursery, and those attending will have a chance to make the winning auction bid on Peter Rabbit’s Adorable Bunny Hutch — complete with bunny — decorated by interior designer Paula Robinson.

Committee chairmen helping with the event include Nancy Bizjack, Valerie DeMarco, Karen Foster, Alicia Knapp, Marianne Morgan, Mary Parish, Annie Tomecek and Beth Zienty. Committee members are Molly Berger, Melissa Blood, Deb Craigmile, Melanie Ferguson, Susan Ketchum, Lisa Kintigh, Deanne Nunn, Martha Shadid, Kristi Smith and Susan Young.

Sponsors and contributors include Don Carlton Honda, Don Carlton Mitsubishi, Tulsa Kids, Tulsa Neurology Clinic, Doubletree Hotels, JC Penney Eastland Mall, ACJ Public Relations, Janet Drye Graphic Design, PF Business Systems, State Arts Council and Novel Idea Discount Books.

Tickets are $15 per person. Children 2 and under are admitted free. For reservations or more information, call 491-0973. Come on and have a Ball.

Danna Sue Walker is a World staff writer.