'Once Upon a Fairy Tale' to open at Waukegan Public Library
The Waukegan Public Library invites the public to visit its new children's learning exhibit, "Once Upon a Fairy Tale," opening Sunday, Dec. 7.
The grand celebration is free and takes place from 1-3 p.m., complete with sword fighting, knights, pictures with princesses, falcon trainers, strolling minstrels, cake and refreshments.
This year's exhibit, funded exclusively by North Shore Gas, features 2,200 square feet of interactive learning centers right out of the pages of well-known fairy tales. Hands-on elements will immerse children in fantasy stories and promote literacy by fostering a love of books, reading, and storytelling.
Fairy tales develop a child's imagination and creativity and teach a basic understanding of right and wrong.
A key element of the exhibit focuses on imagination and role-playing, which helps children learn about people and events on other sides of the world. Activities include woodworking in Geppetto's workshop, climbing up Rapunzel's tower, building houses with the three little pigs, mining for diamonds with Snow White's dwarves, creating Hansel and Gretel's candy house, and sitting in Cinderella's carriage. The exhibit also highlights the morals and lessons of each story.
"Fairy tales are truly universal, existing all over the world in every language," said Rena Morrow, public relations and Experiential Learning manager. "They represent a kind of magic and mystery that children can relate to and learn from.
"This year's exhibit places children in these stories, not as the prince or princess, but as a variety of characters who have challenges to overcome and lessons to learn, such as the three little pigs, the hardworking dwarves, and a wooden boy."
In addition to North Shore Gas, pieces of the exhibit were sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union and the Tempel Lipizzans in Wadsworth.
After the ribbon-cutting, families will enter a storybook world complete with knights, princesses, and merriment. Children will meet professional knights, hold replica weapons and armor, witness swordfights, and compete in a squire competition.
Families will meet a licensed falconer with his birds and learn about the role of falconry in the Middle Ages. A strolling musician will play the lute, recorder, and trumpet. In addition, children can attend a Shakespeare workshop and learn how to speak in iambic pentameter and perform scenes from Shakespeare plays.
During the free opening party, families can take a Medieval Moment photo as a keepsake of their visit, complete with period hats. Also, a variety of prizes will be raffled off, including last year's complete G-scale electric train and track, tickets to the Tempel Farms Lipizzaner horse performance, and tickets to next summer's Renaissance Festival in Bristol, Wisconsin.
The launch of "Once Upon a Fairy Tale" marks the sixth year of rotating exhibits in the children's department at the Waukegan Public Library, following "Dig the Dinosaurs," "Under the Sea," "Creepy Crawlies," "Oink, Baa, Moo," and the most recent "The Places You'll Go."
Each exhibit, including all programs, displays and installation, is funded exclusively by donations from North Shore Gas and the Harold M. & Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation.
The library's Early Learning Center will be closed until the grand opening on Dec. 7 while workers install the displays. The exhibit is open during library hours throughout the year.
For details, about "Once Upon a Fairy Tale," contact Rena Morrow at (847) 623-2041, ext. 231, or rmorrow@waukeganpl.info.