Library animates ‘Once Upon a Winter’s Night’

Madison Public Library will entertain with “Once Upon a Winter’s Night” on Jan. 22. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – A night of dress-up and fairy tales coming alive will delight guests at “Once Upon a Winter’s Night” at Madison Public Library.

The magical fun will happen on Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. Activities will include medieval and Renaissance dances, games, puppet show and a screening of “Frozen.”

“Thanks to the generosity of Madison Friends of the Library, the event is free for all ages,” youth services librarian Maggie Allen said.

“We’re thrilled to offer the magic of the library after hours by creating a fairy-tale world for our families,” Madison Branch Manager Sarah Sledge said.

Adult services librarian Amanda Campbell and volunteer Karalee Arnell will host the dance portion of the event. “Both have experience working with children and are dancers themselves,” Allen said. “The entire dance portion will be an interactive opportunity for children and families of all ages to dance themselves.”

Tongue-in-cheek games surely will generate laughs. “Magic Bean Toss,” “Pin the Kiss on the Frog” and “Candy Cane Walk” will be some of the options.

The puppet show will feature favorite fairytales, including fractured versions of “Rapunzel,” “Three Little Pigs,” “The Gunniwulf” and “Paper Bag Princess.”

Another fairy tale, Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” inspired the blockbuster hit “Frozen.” “A fearless princess sets off on an epic journey alongside a rugged iceman, his loyal pet reindeer and a naive snowman to find her estranged sister, whose icy powers have inadvertently trapped the kingdom in eternal winter,” Allen said.

The library staff hopes guests will masquerade in “Frozen” fashion. “We encourage everyone to dress up — girls and boys, men and women. The more costumes the better,” Allen said.

Proceeds will benefit the Youth Services Department in the new Madison Public Library.

For more information, visit hmcpl.org/madison.