Bringing home a ‘baby’ of my own

Looking at a table of the Lullaby edition of the babies, my eyes kept going back to Arthur. Most of the babies were bald but Arthur Holden had a head of bushy black hair and big green eyes, just like me! I grabbed him and was soon reciting the pledge to make the adoption official.

Nurse Sue filled out the paperwork and after a few photos, we joined the festivities at the grand opening celebration. It was such a fun day with collectors from across the country in attendance.

Adopting one of the babies is a real treat for adults and children alike. Visitors to the hospital can also watch a “birth” in the fun interactive gift shop area.

Collectors lined up around the hospital to wait their turn to meet with creator Xavier Roberts to get their new baby autographed. Meeting Xavier was a real treat. He was gracious as he signed the baby’s bottom. It was the first signing he has done in a while and it made grand opening an even more special event.

Fans of the Appalachian style babies waited at the new hospital in Cleveland, a 70,000 square foot facility with huge white columns out front, the Saturday before Mother’s Day with one or more “babies” to get Roberts to autograph.

It was a festive day with thousands of people on the grounds to celebrate the opening of the new Babyland General Hospital. Games and activities for children, as well as free snacks, were part of the celebration.

Roberts arrived in a vintage car as part of a motorcade that featured costumed characters. Dressed all in black, including a black cowboy hat, he waved to the crowd as the car pulled up in front of the new hospital. He hugged people and shook hands as he made his way to the podium out front.

Officials from White County and Cleveland declared the day as Xavier Roberts Day and thanked the artist for all that he has done for the community.

Since Roberts made his first creation more than 30 years ago, more than 120 million of the kids have been adopted worldwide and they continue to be popular with children and adults alike.

It was in 1978 when Xavier first opened the doors of his little hospital in the mountain community of Cleveland. The new 70,000 square foot facility is situated on 650 acres of land and is much larger than the first hospital.

Inside this Southern style home, the fun and fantasy of Cabbage Patch Kids comes to life. Admission is free. Solid, eight-foot, mahogany doors with beveled glass are open wide to welcome visitors into the exciting world of Cabbage Patch Kids. Mountain views are available from 72 windows from all sides of the house.

The new “Fathers’ Waiting Room” contains historical archives showcasing some highly collectible Originals, independently valued at $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Polished floors lead up to simple double doors, recreating a sense of a former turn of the century medical clinic. Nurseries are lined with cribs filled with hand-sculpted Preemies and Lullabye Babies. One-of-a-kind displays include a spectacular Cabbage Patch under the Magic Crystal Tree with real crystals and geodes imbedded in the “ground.” This is the only place in the world to witness the “live” delivery of a Cabbage Patch Kid. Hundreds of kids are playing throughout the hospital in the Fantasy Forest and Clubhouse tree house.

With almost 4,000 feet of conference and meeting space, Babyland offers a birthday party room for youngsters, and a ballroom that adds elegance and creativity to business conferences or can be the perfect backdrop to a glamorous wedding.

More than 100,000 bricks were laid to create 20,000 square feet of covered porch supported by 67 graceful columns. It is the perfect place to relax in a porch rocker and enjoy a cooling mountain breeze or have protection from the unexpected summer shower.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming events at Babyland General Hospital include the following:

•Fall Fest at Babyland, Sept. 18, 2010, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Activities include face painting, carnival games, prizes, music and a drawing for a hand-stitched kid.

•Appalachian Christmas, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Breakfast with Santa 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

For more information, go to www.cabbagepatchkids.com.

Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.