Overton Library filled with pirates and princesses

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The Moapa Valley Library in Overton held its 2nd annual Pirate and Princess Fair on Saturday, April 20. About 100 excited kids showed up to take part in the event where local sword-outfitted pirates and royals could drop in between 11-1 and start their adventures.

As youngsters arrived, they were greeted with ‘Ahoy, Matey’ from the library staff and were taken to the main reading and activity room. There the buccaneers and princesses chose temporary tattoos that they could put on and show off.

Huge backdrops of a castle and a pirate ship were hoisted on the wall where kiddos could grab some props to add to their costume gear, and parents could take photos.

Then it was outdoors on a perfect Spring day, where the costumed librarians helped kids color and decorate a crown or a pirate hat in the library’s back yard area. After completing their ensembles, the scallywags and royal ladies had to get through the ‘Dragon’s Lair’ and crawl through the tunnel.

If they made it through, the marauders could then get their sea legs and make it to the Jolly Roger pirate ship, where they all had to walk the plank. Hoping to avoid becoming shark bait, the pirateers had to get across the shark infested waters to get to the safety of land. Once there, the scurvy dogs and well-dressed lassies found where ‘X’ marked the spot and each received a treasure chest of pirate booty, with candy and small toys.

Off in the distance a tall tower could be spotted. If a brave soul approached and said, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair,” a decorated long blond braid would descend along the castle wall, and the caller would receive a sweet treat.

Inside, face painting was taking place while happy youth patiently waited for their turn.

Logandale resident Cindy McMurray brought her grandchildren to enjoy the day. Princess Vivian, 3, was all smiles throughout the day.
“I like the face painting today, it was fun,” she said.

Adelaide, 11, had made her own crown out of magnets before arriving at the library. The two girls’ brothers Clark, 6, and Graham, 8, said that they love reading and coming to the library. Clark even had a wooden sword made by his uncle.

Customer appreciation day will be held on Thursday, April 25. Stop by this week and receive a free raffle ticket for great prizes, such as legos, toddler toys, Amazon gift card, a Cricut Joy, and mini hydroponics.

The library is located at 350 N. Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton. For more info. Call 702-397-2690.