Northeast News
November 27, 2013

Four winners have been announced in the Kansas City Museum’s 2013 Fairy Princess Costume Contest. Youngsters showed off their costumes during the Oct. 31 Scare-It Halloween event.

Earning the top spots for best costume were Olivia Armstrong, Isabel Candillo, Mykah Hooker and Abigail Contreras.

The four “princesses” will be honored with a gift during the museum’s Dec. 6 Neighborhood Holiday Open House. The open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the museum’s carriage house, 3218 Gladstone Blvd. Attendees can toast the holidays, listen to seasonal music and nosh on tasty treats. Past and present museum Fairy Princesses will also be on hand to greet guests. All are welcome to attend this free event.

Fairy Princess History

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 create 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.

Fairy Princess Visits

During the month of December youngsters will have a chance to meet the museum’s Fairy Princesses and participate in Fairy Princess themed arts and crafts. During the Fairy Princess events, youngsters will receive a complimentary photo and Fairy Princess gift. Attendees can also check out the Fairy Princess Boutique to stock up on Fairy Princess Essentials.

The Fairy Princess days will be held at the museum on Saturdays (Dec. 7,14 and 21) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays (Dec. 8,15 and 22) from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $10.

Pretty Princesses. Pictured above are the winners from the Kansas City Museum’s Fairy Princess Costume Contest which was held during the Scare-It Halloween event Oct. 31. Pictured from left to right are: Isabel Candillo, Mykah Hooker, Olivia Armstrong and Abigail Contreras. Photos courtesy of the Kansas City Museum