Northeast News
November 28, 2012

Kansas City Museum is ready to toast the holidays and is inviting the public to its 25th annual Neighborhood Holiday Open House Friday, Nov. 30.

In addition to a spread of appetizers and beverages, the night will include seasonal music and honoring the Fairy Princess Costume Contest winners. Youngsters will also get a chance to visit with the museum’s Fairy Princesses. The Holiday Open House will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd. There is no cost to attend.

The Fairy Princess tradition dates back to 1935 when Kline’s Department Store opened its first Toyland. Other department stores featured visits with Santa, but Kline’s was the only store where you could find a Fairy Princess. Children would seek out the Fairy Princess to tell her about their holiday wishes and the princess would wave her wand to make a special gift magically appear. Over the years, the Fairy Princess began visiting area pediatric wards and public schools.

Fairy Princesses were a staple in Kansas City until the late 1960s, shortly before Kline’s closed in 1970. Seventeen years after the department store closed, the Kansas City Museum resurrected the Fairy Princess tradition. The mission of the Fairy Princess event is to recreate the Kansas City historic event with an air of wonder and excitement. In 2006, Zona Rosa and the Kansas City Museum partnered together, so the Fairy Princess could also visit children in the Northland shopping district.

Children can visit the Fairy Princess at the museum in December on Saturdays and Sundays, which costs $8. The Fairy Princess will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays (Dec. 1, 8 and 15) and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays (Dec. 2, 9 and 16). In addition, there will be Fairy Princess themed arts and crafts activities and holiday decor. A complimentary photo is included in the visit.

All dressed up. Pictured are the Kansas City Museum’s Fairy Princess Costume Contest winners. Photos submitted by the Kansas City Museum