“You dream it, we’ll do it,” said Campbell, who founded the venture in 2010 in California, where she and her husband, Jared, also owned and operated pizzerias.
“I have a passion for hospitality, spreading joy and empowering children and people to live their biggest and wildest dreams,” she said. “I’ve been so inspired by Walt’s story and personally impacted by him as a child who grew up in southern California, enjoying the magic he created for our family.”
Campbell said that as a teen, she was grateful to get to be one of the Magic Kingdom’s magic makers as a cast member.
“The impact character interactions can have on children and adults is incredibly special, and I was inspired to bring the magic to families in Northern California, and now Ohio,” she said.
The family moved to the Dayton area in 2022, launching The Fairy Godmother in their home and dubbing a downstairs guest bedroom the “Character Closet.”
The business quickly grew to more than 70 characters and cast members, so Campbell sought and found space near the corner of Main and Franklin in Uptown Centerville.
The space is adjacent to “The Clubhouse,” a behind-the-scenes headquarters located in a historic set of buildings on the southwest corner of Main and Franklin. That location plays host to auditions, costumes and trainings, plus vocal and acting coaching with Emma Riley Studio, a cast member turned business owner.
Fairy Godmother characters range from princesses and superheroes to holiday favorites and mascots.
“We do it all, and if we get a request for a character we haven’t created, we create it,” Campbell said.
Fairy Godmother Events aims to give intentional time and attention to little ones “and hosting our craft-and-paint nights with less than a dozen children allows just that,” she said.
The business partners with more than 100 corporate and community entities and can be found across the region at various festivals and events.
Guests also can join Fairy Godmother Events for ticketed experiences like “Magical Moments with Santa,” holiday paint nights or cookie decorating partnered with Sugar by Fix.
Fairy Godmother Events’ campaign with Dayton Children’s means a $20 donation can earn a $50 discount on any booking with the business in 2025 and every incremental $20 donation earns an entry toward a complimentary party giveaway. In addition, 20% of Fairy Godmother’s Magical Moments series is donated to Dayton Children’s.
Campbell said the business plans for 2025 include introducing a character childcare experience for children to enjoy while their parents have a night out in Uptown Centerville. The new feature will offer different themed nights monthly featuring character visits, sing-along story time, crafts, dinner and games.
“No tech. No tablets. Just magic with our cast,’ she said.
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