Ava Hovland celebrated her 5th birthday in style. Princess style that is.

Ava spent her birthday wearing a pink dress, a crown and a bit of makeup to brighten her already rosy cheeks. Her seven friends were all decked out in princess gear, too.

When the time came to plan Ava's birthday bash, Hovland turned to Sarah Paul of Once Upon A Party.

Paul, 18, started the business, which caters to 4- to 8-year-old girls, this spring because she knew it's what she wanted to do with her life. "If I could be a Disney princess without having to move to one of the coasts, that's what I'd do," she said.

Paul, who will start school at Colorado State University in the fall, said the business is something she can build while she attends college. Ultimately, she has big plans to have her own storefront with themed party rooms. And she hopes someday to be able to franchise the Once Upon A Party service.

She's in good company. Both nationally and around the world, princess parties are big business. A quick search of the Internet for "princess party" turns up hundreds of party-themed businesses as well as a Web site that provides a package to tell you how to start your own princess party business.

Paul decided to start her own business and turned to Fort Collins High teacher Kelly Kappel to help develop her business plan. Paul also contacted a woman in Arizona who also runs a princess party business for advice.

Paul usually holds her parties at La De Da Performing Arts Studio, 2105-D, S. College Ave., but also will hold them at homes.

On a recent Saturday, Princess Ava and her ladies gathered at La De Da.

After Sleeping Beauty (a.k.a. Paul) arrived, the girls dressed in their costumes and prepared for the coronation ceremony.

Each girl received a crown and curtsey from Sleeping Beauty. Princess Ava received a special sparkling tiara, a sash and a scepter. Then the girls went on a brief princess parade during which they delicately lifted their skirts and waved to their adoring subjects (their moms).

The princesses then made colorful beaded charm bracelets, participated in a princess dance game (when the music stops, the girls strike a princess pose), whacked a piñata, watched Ava open gifts and then ate slices from a castle birthday cake and drank punch.

Julie Hovland let Ava participate in the party planning process and even choose which princess would appear. Ava chose Sleeping Beauty over Snow White, Cinderella, Belle of the Ball and the Mermaid Princess. Paul plans to add a Ballet Princess to her repertoire soon.

"It's the perfect girly birthday party," Hovland said. "It's just what she wanted."

Testimonials

"You should be so proud of yourself. You made my daughter and her friends feel so very very special that night. You did a outstanding job!! I was very impressed!!  I have already been spreading the word about you!! Good words of course!! I will definitely keep you in mind for future parties! With 3 girls, you can bet I will use you again!!" - Lynn Casrud, Fort Collins

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were wonderful and she absolutely loved it." - Lynette Seelmeyer, Fort Collins

"It's a week later and she's still talking about it!" - Tanya Metcalf, Fort Collins

"I'm really impressed. You've done your homework. You could answer all the girls' questions easily!" - Anonymous

"It's just what she wanted." - Julie Hovland