Every spring, The Urbana Free Library transforms into a fairy tale castle for the Fairy Tale Ball! Fairy tale lovers of all ages are invited to an evening of stories, crafts, games, and entertainment. Don your shiny suit of armor or sparkly ball gown, or dress like your favorite fairy-tale character, and join us for an evening of fantasy and frivolity.
This program is generously sponsored by Fred Schlipf and Diane Hillard.
Event Details
When: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., April 11, 2025
Where: The Urbana Free Library
Age Group: Preschoolers, elementary schoolers, their families and caregivers.
Dress: Dress your fairy-tale best!
Registration: Registration is not required, please drop in!
Royal Entertainment
English Country Dancers
Lewis Auditorium, Ground Floor
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn a country jig.
Bippity Bobbity Bubbles
Cherry Alley
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Catch magical bubbles!
Fairy Tale Ballet
Busey-Mills Reading Room and Library Gallery, First Floor
5:30, 6:30, & 7:30 p.m.
Watch solo performances from the Dance Theater of Illinois and then learn some ballet basics.
Dulcimer and Friends
MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room, First Floor
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Listen to some magical music.
Pitch-Pot
Newspaper and Magazine Room, First Floor
All Evening
Can you toss the arrow into the pot?
The Royal Pea Challenge
Megan’s Room, Ground Floor
All Evening
Can you find the pea hidden in the cushions?
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
All Evening
You’re cordially invited to a sensory tea party.
Book Fortune Telling
Welcome Desk, First Floor
All Evening
Get matched with a great read.
Joe Reichlin- Juggler, Storyteller, and Singer
Roving
All Evening
Spot Joe! He’ll be singing and juggling all over the ball!
Activities
Craft – Magic Paper Lotus
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Create your own magic lotus with paper and glue.
Enchanted Connect Four
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Play a magical game of Connect 4!
Wish Upon a Star
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Make a wish in our wishing well.
Quiet Time Grotto
Satterthwaite Conference Room, Ground Floor
Take a pause from the medieval mayhem.
Storybook Maze
Fiction Area, First Floor
Over the shelves and through the stacks, to the Library you go!
Magical Moments Photos
First Floor
Capture the magic of the evening with a photo.
Craft – Create Your Own Coat of Arms
Archives, Second Floor
Lion, dragon, phoenix. What goes on your family shield?
Quest: The Lost Heroes of Libraryland
Complete six challenges to summon a new ultimate hero!
Quest Challenge: Protection
Welcome desk, First Floor
Quest Challenge: Observation
Storybook Maze - Fiction Area, First Floor
Quest Challenge: Intelligence
Reference desk, Second Floor
Quest Challenge: Bravery
Comic book corner, Second Floor
Quest Challenge: Strength
Study rooms, Second Floor
Quest Challenge: Leadership
Reference desk, Second Floor
The quest was designed and built by students from the University of Illinois Informatics 418 class taught by CU Community Fab Lab staff.
This year's decorations were designed and created by the University of Illinois Department of Theatre students.
Designs by: Cate Freeze (Scenic Tech BFA)
Realized by: Raven Shales (Scenic Tech BFA) Scenic and Aiden Meagher (Arts Entertainment and Technology BFA)
Prod. Manager: Lara Stone (Stage Management BFA)