More than 50 “characters” are needed to make this year’s “Cookies with Characters” event a success, said organizer Kiley Spears Friday.

The annual event by Meredith’s Miracles, a local non-profit that helps families with non-medical related costs, has become a community staple and draws participants from near and far. This year it will be held on Feb. 22. Shows will be held at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Doors will open an hour before each show, and close two hours after opening.

And of course, area youth are being asked to audition for the 50-plus characters, which are the highlight of the show.

Spears said auditions are scheduled for Jan. 9 and 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall and are open for those in the eighth grade and up.

“We’ve had great success over the last couple of years at the auditions,” Spears said. “First, we ask that those who try out know that they must be available all day on Feb. 22.”

Spears said the character cast is set to “be as authentic as we can.”

“That means if you want to try out for Cinderella, you need to be blonde, with hair long enough to be put in a bun,” she said. “We can’t have a brunette Cinderella. We also need a guy with facial hair and brown hair that is long enough to be styled.

“We’re also going to add a few new characters this year – from Frozen, Anna and Elise; Wolverine, Sofia the First and a few others,” she said. “We’d like to ask the girls, if possible, to come in with makeup and hair done. It’s not required. It just helps us to see if you fit the part you want.

“And, if have been a character before for us and want to audition for the same character, you can call me by Wednesday, Jan. 8, by 7 p.m., to sign up over the phone,” she said.

Anyone can try out for a mascot spot, provided the costume fits, Spears said.

Those with questions about the upcoming auditions are asked to contact Spears at 334.427.5321 or Sonia Crigger at 334.804.5325.