Princess Festival teaches girls service

Whether it's fighting off witches, rescuing fellow damsels in distress or attending the royal ball, a princess has a very full day. While this may sound like something far, far away, a charity event in Utah is bringing the magic closer to home.

The Princess Festival, in Lindon, offers little girls from all over the state a chance to mix with their favorite princesses and prove their royal worth.

Based on an original Princess Proverb, the event centers around the theme, "Real princesses care about the well-being of others."

"The whole concept of the Princess Festival is teaching little girls to serve and love," said Holly Sue Hatfield, one of the event coordinators.

In its third year, the two-week festival allows 4- to 12-year-old girls to enter the magical Kingdom of Hatfieldadelphia. There, they help save Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid and other princesses from the Four Season Witches.

Dressed in ball gowns and crowns, the little princesses must face the witches, not with swords, but with bravery, service and kindness.

"We helped melt her frozen heart," 9-year-old Rachel Thomas said of facing the Winter Witch.

Aside from the classics, ethnic princesses such as Psyche of Greece, Sonrisa of Latin America and Mrugi of Africa are in attendance.

"We try to represent all of the different nations and all the different cultures," Hatfield said.

The festival also introduces a line of princesses all their own. Based on books by author K.L. Morgan, the princesses of the Kingdoms of Everley personify girls from all over the world.

Instead of dragons and witches, however, the characters learn to battle real-life problems, such as earthquakes, floods, disease and illiteracy.

The event educates the girls about the problems children face around the world and teaches them how they can get involved.

"They can be brave and strong and they can help, just like the princesses do," Hatfield said. "In order to be verified a true princess they have to go and do an act of service."

At the end of the tour the girls can complete a treasure hunt to receive a copy of K.L. Morgan's book, "Princess Ilissa's Idea," which tells the history of the festival through a fairytale.

As part of the quest girls must perform different acts of service, such as tying quilts and assembling hygiene kits for local charities.