ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – Historic Quarters 1 on Rock Island Arsenal has seen a fair number of VIPs in its day. From stars (in both the general officer sense, as well as celebrity types) to foreign dignitaries, the castle-like former residence has been the setting for many a grand event.
It has never, however, had 35 princesses and 4 princes visit in one day -- until now!
Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation recently hosted a “Story Time with Princesses” event at the venue, where storybook princesses in full-costumed attire read stories from their magical kingdoms and offered a variety of creative crafting events for little hands to make and take home.
There were two sessions held July 17, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with both selling out in capacity for the activities available.
Attendees were invited to come dressed to impress in their princess and prince finery. Anyone passing by during the parade portion, a regal promenade along the mighty Mississippi River, witnessed gaggles of girls dressed as Elsa, Rapunzel, Jasmine, and a few Prince Charmings, strolling in the sun. Even a mini-Maleficent was spotted smiling, with not a whit of wickedness about her.
“Queen” Angie Larson, who brought three princesses named Ella, Laylah and Jemma (all aged 7) to the event, was sharing the beauty of the home with the kids in a setting designed for them to have fun.
“Quarters 1 is such a lovely and historic place and has been a centerpiece of the Arsenal for so many years, and to see it transformed into a fairytale castle for kids was just so much fun,” she said. “The girls love playing dress-up and, when I saw this advertised, I thought it was a great way to spend some time with her friends before she returns to school, and doing it in this place just made it really wonderful for them.”
Anna Winters, the FMWR recreational assistant (and “Fairy Godmother”) of the event, said she has been thinking about putting on an event like this for years. And with the help of some very special volunteers, she was able to wave her wand and make her dream come true.
“Princess Tiana – Alexis Boeh-Peterson – works at the RIA Child Development Center and offered to help, as did Cinderella – Gabriella Goderis, Winters’ granddaughter – and Princess Anna/Rapunzel – Brooklyn Schnell, Goderis’ friend from school” –she said. “Our little princes – Jaxen Winters and Noah Brabant –who welcomed guests at the door were also volunteers.”
The attendees broke into three groups after their official royal welcome by the adult princesses, and each settled down into separate rooms for a quick story and small chat about life as fairytale royalty.
Each group then rotated through activity stations making paper roses, magic wands and Rapunzel puppets. And, of course, no enchanting party is complete without cupcakes and lemonade for guests.
“Queen” Meghan McAndrew, mother of Princess Olive, age 6, said she would love to see this become a regular event, as her daughter was so excited to see all of the princesses.
“FMWR did an amazing job putting this event on,” she said. “The activities were perfect for the ages of children and the staff were so kind and happy to participate. The youth volunteers enhanced the ambiance and Quarters 1 was the perfect location.”
Larson said it was a treat to escape into the land of pretend with her daughter and share a bit of royal fun, given the stresses over the last year with COVID-19. She also hopes the event will be offered again in the future.
“It was so wonderful to see all of the kids get a little sprinkle of fairytale dust and have this kind of experience not often found in this area,” she said.
Well, Queen Angie, wishes DO come true – Fairy Godmother Winters says FMWR is going to roll out the red carpet for royal guests again this fall, and cannot wait to see all of the princes and princesses return to the Quarters 1 castle.
So, if anyone comes up missing a pumpkin and a few horses in a month or two, we ALL know who the prime suspect will be.
Social Sharing