Shipley celebrates spring

The show, which begins at 10:30 a.m., lasts anywhere from 40 to 55 minutes, is a preview benefit show, with proceeds benefiting the Shipley Nature Center. Reservations are recommended.

The interactive hunt allows children to join fairy guide characters, cousins Elise Wright and Frances Griffiths, in search of fairies and other mysterious creatures spotted throughout the north side of Central Park.

"This show has been running in L.A. for more than a year, but it's extremely portable," said Milenkovich, a Costa Mesa resident who is producing the show. "This is our first pilot program in Central Park, and it teaches children about courtesy, kindness and self-esteem.

"In the show, they will also learn that the fairy queen has lost her fairy light. As the story plot develops, they meet up with a troll and Symury, which is a half-man, half-bird creature.

"We want the kids to dress up and pretend with us. The show and characters are based in actual fairy lore, but it's more about fantasy, and having a great time in the park."

Milenkovich said that shows have been booked on Saturdays in the park through June.

Also Saturday, the Shipley Nature Center will be one of the featured stops on the 2006 Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour. The center will be open for the tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and donations received will benefit The Sheepfold, a shelter and refuge for abused women and their children. hbi.04-happs-2-CPhotoInfoU31QIIVB20060504iynvq3nc(LA)Noemy Ariza of Huntington Beach, age 13, paints a design on a clay pot during Saturday's first Shipley Nature Center Spring Festival at the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach. Ariza is part of the Community Service Program, Inc. Youth Leadership Program. hbi.04-happs-1-CPhotoInfoU31QIIV720060504iynvopnc(LA)Huntington Beach resident Jessi Moon touches a tiger salamander while holding her son Luka Moon, age 20 months, during Saturday's first Shipley Nature Center Spring Festival at the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach.hbi.04-happs-3-CPhotoInfoU31QIIVE20060504iynvroncPHOTOS BY MARK DUSTIN / INDEPENDENT(LA)Top, Noemy Ariza of Huntington Beach, age 13, paints a design on a clay pot. Above, Dave Raetz of the Orange County Department of Education's Inside the Outdoors program holds up a Red Tail Hawk.