Fairy tale princesses come to life through Spokane Valley’s Wish Upon a Star

A lifelong love for all things Disney led to Hayley Schmelzer’s novel approach to making others’ dreams come true.

Schmelzer, who worked at Disney parks and resorts through the company’s college program, founded Wish Upon a Star Events in 2013, a business that specializes in princess- and superhero-themed parties for children.

But it’s more than dressing up as a princess.

“It’s about bringing joy to people’s lives and getting to grow with families,” she said. “We see a kid at 2 or 3 years old and have birthday parties until they age out. But there’s still families we are seeing six years later that we built personal relationships with, and that’s sort of special.”

Schmelzer dressed up as the Little Mermaid at a birthday party for her friend’s child, and it sparked an idea for the business that has since grown to 28 employees.

“It just escalated pretty quickly from there through word-of-mouth,” Schmelzer said.

The venture grew from home-based princess parties into the brick-and-mortar Enchanted Event Center at 10623 E. Sprague Ave. in 2016. The Spokane Valley location plays host to a variety of events such as tea, pajama and princess parties ranging from $275 to $365, depending on activities and how many characters attend.

Princesses and superheroes appear at dozens of birthday parties each weekend and also partner with local companies and nonprofit organizations for a variety of events such as Spokane Chiefs baseball games, hospital visits, car shows and benefits.

Performers undergo regular training for their roles, learning how to pose, speak and sing like the character they are portraying. Costumes, which cost about $500, are custom-made by seamstresses.

“It’s not just dress up on the weekends,” said Brianna Waco, Wish Upon a Star Events princess. “There’s so much that goes into it that people don’t realize. It is a business.”

Because Wish Upon a Star Events doesn’t have licensing rights from Disney to use its characters, the company uses monikers for princesses and superheroes such as ice queen, snow princess or spider hero. Wish Upon a Star is permitted to use character names from classic fairy tales because they are considered in the public domain.

Waco, whose background is in singing and teaching choir, was the first person Schmelzer hired after launching the business six years ago.

“I could sing and I love kids, so I reached out to her and that’s how I started,” Waco said. “I’ve been there the longest, and it’s been amazing. I just love the magic of the job and being able to portray that magic to kids and light up their world for the time we have with them.”

With a background in theater and improvisation, Dane Larson is one of six male cast members for Wish Upon a Star Events.

“Improv skills have been so helpful in creating a character,” he said. “You can do research, watch movies and read guides, but it doesn’t prepare you for what some kid is going to ask you.”

Princesses are still the main draw for people, but Larson gains a considerable amount of work as a superhero at larger events and birthday parties.

Larson said the most enjoyable aspect of the job is creating memories with the kids.

“We work with such a wonderful age group,” he said. “They wholeheartedly believe you are this character and it amazes them.”

Schmelzer’s future goals for the business are to expand to a larger facility to host more events and continue providing princess and superhero-themed parties in Spokane and North Idaho.

“As we grow, we would like the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene communities to stay at the heart of what we do,” she said. “If it weren’t for local businesses, we wouldn’t be where we are.”