Kelbi’s World might be the new Wonderland of Sequim: There’s a lot to see.

The store in Rock Plaza boasts stuffed and ready-to-be-stuffed animals, a mushroom check stand, a mountain for animal stuffing, a magical garden, and a stage for shows and parties.
Store owner Kelbi Folkerson says her business is all about love.

“I wanted to bring wholesomeness and magic back to the world that I feel has been lost.”  
Folkerson opened Kelbi’s World on July 3.

Singing her way to Sequim
Folkerson comes from a family of entertainers. Her father, Bob Folkerson, was a stuntman and professional cowboy. Her sister Cindy Folkerson was active in movie stunt work and is past president of Stuntwomen’s Association of Motion Pictures.

Kelbi Folkerson spent most of her time performing in the Southwest.

Her resume includes TV shows “Starsky and Hutch” and “The Merv Griffin Show,” 16 years at Camp Snoopy in Knott’s Berry Farm, working with dolphins at Sea World, being a living statue at The Venetian resort and an angel at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Now her performances depend on what party is happening at Kelbi’s World.

Birthday blowout
Kelbi’s World’s party area has a stage for shows led by Folkerson and one of her many characters.

She might be a princess or Kelbi the friendly witch as she sings and tells jokes with puppet mice, a dragon and platypus.

Shows come with birthday parties and special events. Add-ons such as food and party favors are available.

Folkerson said people can build a party with any theme, for children or adults, to fit their budget.

Children’s parties often include princesses, knights or pirates. In the princess room, girls can get their nails, makeup and hair done by Folkerson’s fairies, with names such as Rainflower or Rosebud.

First event
The first party at Kelbi’s World was for Harris Bower’s third birthday on July 13. Folkerson sang with puppets, fairies painted faces, pizza and cake were served and stuffed animals were made.

Harris’ mother, Terri Bower, said they held the party there because the family prefers creating memories to buying lots of gifts. They also couldn’t pass on being the first ones to throw a party there, she said.

“The best part is that I don’t have to pick up,” Bower said.
Party packages include animals. 

Animating the animals
An anytime appeal of Kelbi’s World is the do-it-yourself stuffed animals.

Animals come in two sizes, 8 inches and 16 inches. Each animal gets love (cotton stuffing) from the display mountain before a machine completes filling it. Hearts that read friendship, love, courage, wishes or dreams, and sound-makers can be inserted. The animal is cleaned with a turtle hair dryer, then it can be named and a birth certificate printed. Clothing from Bear Mill and Teddy Mountain is available.

Happy customers
Folkerson said the store is getting a good response from the community.

She and her staff are excited about what they do. “It’s something I live,” Folkerson said. “It’s not an act.”

Employee Daina Starks, aka Rainflower, said, “It’s family oriented and everybody can get into it. It’s about making memories and creating those little moments.” She most enjoys helping children join into the stage show.

Busy bees
Folkerson says Kelbi’s World isn’t just for children. Grandparents and parents buy animals and throw parties.

She plans to open one night a week for Kelbi’s Comedy Stop. She is auditioning comedians and has an act of her own about the oldest golfer in the world.

She’s also starting a children’s show at 8 a.m. Saturdays on KSQM radio. She’s working on scripts and welcomes e-mails at kelbi@kelbisworld.com with questions and/or a song to dedicate.

Kelbi’s World is at 10155 Old Olympic Highway, Sequim. It is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week and can be reached at 681-7625.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.