Young visitors gather with costumed fairy tale characters during the Sutter County Library's first Fairy Tale Renaissance Fair on Aug. 1, celebrating the conclusion of this year's summer reading program.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Knights, fairies, pirates and storybook characters filled the Sutter County Library on Aug. 1 as the library celebrated the conclusion of its summer reading program with its first Fairy Tale Renaissance Fair.

Chalese Eggleston, the library's children's services coordinator, said the idea came from members of the library's Teen Advisory Board, who suggested ending the summer reading season with a larger themed celebration for the community.

Children proudly display handmade wands after participating in one of several craft activities offered during the Fairy Tale Renaissance Fair at the Sutter County Library.

The three-hour event featured wand making, flower crown crafting, photo opportunities with whimsical characters and other fairy tale-themed activities. Families also enjoyed performances of "Mother Goose Land" by the Fratello Marionettes and "Shakespeare Was a Pirate."

Guests and library staff arrived dressed in Renaissance-inspired costumes ranging from royal gowns and medieval clothing to fairies, pirates and other fantasy characters.

"I saw the event, and it looked like such a fun thing to come to," said Sarah, a mother who attended with her two children. "I usually take them to the different splash pads around town, but this is a nice break from the norm."

Library staff embraced the Renaissance theme by dressing in period-inspired costumes while welcoming families and helping with activities throughout the day.

An estimated 400 children attended the fair throughout the day, according to library staff.

Although the summer reading program has ended, patrons can continue exploring new creative opportunities through several recent additions to the library's collection.

Among the newest items available are two Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printers that patrons can check out for home use.

"It was like, as soon as we announced having them, they were checked out," Eggleston said. "There is a waitlist for people to check them out, and we also have some in-house that they can use."

The library also lends sewing machines, a canning kit, solar charging packs and camping equipment. The collection expands the library's services beyond books by giving residents access to equipment they may want to try for a project, hobby or outdoor adventure before purchasing it themselves.

The Sutter County Library's main branch is at 750 Forbes Ave. in Yuba City. For information about programs, services and available materials, visit http://sutter.gov/government/county-departments/library or call 530-822-7137.

A young attendee dressed as a fairy shows off a handcrafted wand during the Fairy Tale Renaissance Fair, where hundreds of children celebrated the end of the library's summer reading program.