Magic expands imaginations, sparks curiosity and fosters creativity. And to a different degree and on another level, so does Steps to Success.

That's what Pennsylvania Entertainers Swap Meet and Sale and the local early childhood education and child care service have in common. That and the leadership of Michelle and Tait Harbaugh.

"Steps to Success is trying to help children expand their minds," said Michelle, the founder and executive director of Steps to Success and Tait's wife. "We want children to grow into people who explore and question things. It's about developing critical thinking. They come up with all kinds of interesting answers about how magic is done."

"There are some people who just want to figure things out," said Tait, Michelle's husband and a magician who goes by Papa Tater. "Some don't care how things are done. They just want to be amazed."

The 11th edition of the annual PA Entertainers Swap Meet and Sale, a magical fundraiser for Steps to Success, will be conducted on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola. The event, which is free and open to the public, is designed to introduce the entertainment value of magic to visitors, provide a foundation for beginning magicians and give established magicians an opportunity to network and share trade secrets.

There will be no structured performances at the event, but rather plenty of impromptu illusions, tricks, demonstrations and displays of magic.

"For most magicians, if you ask them to demonstrate something, they are more than happy to show you," said Papa Tater. "For me, magic is bringing wonder to people. I love to amaze people. I love to make them laugh. Everyone is attracted to these things for different reasons. Some people like to be fooled. Some people like the comedy aspect. I'm doing it in a way to get laughter."

"There's magic going on," said Michelle, "but it's not on any schedule. Life is short. Come share our joy."

As many as 150 magicians from Lancaster County, Reading, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Ohio and Virginia will be on hand selling and trading their wares on more than 40 tables set up at the venue. Donations toward Steps to Success will be accepted, and concessions like hot dogs and sauerkraut, black bean chili, sloppy joes, potato chips and drinks including coffee and water will be available for purchase.

"It's a social event for the magicians," said Michelle. "It's a central place to meet. They get to chat face to face. For the magicians, it's fun and social time."

"For a lot of the magicians, they get to see friends they don't normally see," said Papa Tater. "Apparently the magic community likes this event because they do tell me to do it again."

The Harbaughs are hoping to raise about $1,000 through the event. The money will go toward funding upkeep, improvements and new equipment for Steps to Success' facilities at Zion Lutheran.

Fundraisers and donations make up a small portion of the monies needed to fund Steps to Success. The majority of its income comes from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations and fees paid by private sources.

"I think the record for the money raised (by the event) has been broken every year," said Papa Tater.

"Every year (the event) has gotten bigger, more people and more donations," said Michelle.

Established in 1995, Steps to Success is a local nonprofit that offers early education and child care to families in the Conestoga Valley and Donegal school districts. The organization currently serves 427 children ages 6 weeks to 13 years at seven locations.

Steps to Success employs 67 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers.

"We try to be a service to the community," said Papa Tater.

To volunteer for the event or for more information about Steps to Success, dial 717-517-8470.