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Meredith’s Miracles has announced tryout dates for the 19th year of its annual community hit Cookies with Characters during the last weekend of February.

Tryouts will be held on Thursday, Jan. 9, Monday, Jan. 13, Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 until 8 p.m. the first two days and 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the final two days. Auditions are open to those in the eighth grade and up, and college students are also needed. Participants only have to attend one audition date. Fill-in auditions will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with limited spots available. Tryouts will be held at Meredith’s Miracles at 408 South Three Notch Street in Andalusia.

“I would like any student from eighth grade and up to come try out for a character. We have the best time having fun behind the scenes. It is a chance to volunteer and give back to your community while helping us with our event,” Meredith’s Miracles Executive Director/ Cookies with Characters Coordinator Kiley Spears said. “If a character spot is not appealing to you, then we need volunteers to help on the day of the event. We will have a sign-up table at tryouts to sign up for a volunteer job. Come be a part of our 19th year for Cookies with Characters.”

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, Feb. 23, in the Covington Center Arena and Kiwanis Building. Doors will open for the first Saturday show at 11 a.m. with the show scheduled from noon until 2:30 p.m. The second Saturday show will have doors open at 4 p.m. with the show scheduled from 5 until 7:30 p.m. Doors will open Sunday at 2 p.m. with the show scheduled from 3 until 5:30 p.m.

General tickets are $10 for each show, and preferred seats tickets are $15 each. T-shirts are also available for purchase beginning at $20. Tickets and shirts may be purchased online at meredithsmiracles.org/cookieswithcharacters.

According to Spears, tryouts are conducted on a come-and-go basis.

“Please be patient with us because sometimes we are crowded. We will audition people as fast as we can. Please be sure you are available on both days for our event. You need to be available all day on Saturday and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday,” she said.

There will be over 90 characters in each show, a meet and greet, souvenirs, photo opportunities, jumpy houses, and more. Past characters are not required to attend auditions but must call or text Spears at 334-427-5321 to sign up for the same character.

“That doesn’t mean you get the part but does sign you up to be on the audition list for that character. It always helps us to see you in the different costumes. If you do want to try out for more than one part, we ask that you come to tryouts. Auditions are pretty laid-back, so please don’t be nervous. We simply want to see your personality and how you look in the costumes. We need your help to make Cookies with Characters possible and have over 90 costumes with over 150 spots available,” Spears said.

Cookies with Characters is the largest fundraiser for Meredith’s Miracles, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in assisting families in 27 Alabama counties with travel expenses during medical emergencies. It was established in 2005 in memory of Meredith McGlamory, a local child who lost her battle with cancer when she was only five years old.

The 2024 event broke a record for the organization’s most successful year to date with over $111,000 raised. For more information visit www.cookieswithcharacters.com.