Magic is mysterious. Magic is entertaining. Magic is illusion.

But do you know what else magic is? It's a great way to raise funds.

The upcoming Pennsylvania Entertainers' Swap Meet & Sale is truly a magical event. It's the brainchild of organizer Tait Harbaugh - known in the magic realm as Papa Tater - and it serves as a creative way to raise monies for the nonprofit Steps to Success, which his wife, Michelle, operates.

"Magic is creating wonder, amazement," said Harbaugh. "What you do beyond that is who you are as an entertainer. If it makes someone's eyes grow wide, you've done your job. When you make people forget about life for a moment, that's magic. I have tricks to create amazement and wonder. But for me personally, I want to make people laugh."

The 10th edition of the Pennsylvania Entertainers' Swap Meet & Sale, billed as a micro magic convention, will be presented on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola. About 40 magicians from Lancaster County and beyond will be there plying their trade, selling and trading their wares and captivating curious onlookers.

The event is free, and everyone is welcome. Concessions will be available, and all proceeds from their sale will benefit Steps to Success, which has served the community for 30 years through early child care and education.

"I want people to come out and have a good time and explore magic," said Harbaugh. "The goal is to support Steps to Success. Michelle saw this need in the community and put together four after-school programs in Conestoga Valley. Steps has grown immensely since COVID, and every time (it has), it's been to help someone out. She tries to look out for the community. I really care about Steps, and I really care about the magic community."

Steps to Success is hoping to raise $700 through the event. In addition to the concessions, the nonprofit will accept direct donations and participating magicians donate a nominal fee to operate their table stations.

Last year, 200 magic enthusiasts attended.

"I'm a very late bloomer, and I was in my 30s when I started getting into magic," said Harbaugh. "At one point Michelle said, 'Hey, that's something you could do for the kids.' The little lovelies loved it so much that I brought more. I realized I love making people laugh. That's when I got serious about magic."

Those who attend the Pennsylvania Entertainers' Swap Meet & Sale can expect to be treated to card tricks, puppets, clowns, face painting, vintage and rare magic, sleight of hand, the unexplained, and maybe even a bed of nails.

"It's a room full of magic. It's a room full of magicians," said Harbaugh. "There's definitely excitement in the air. If you ask the magicians to see a trick, they're off. They love to perform. We really like seeing young people have an interest. Magic is so much more than a trick. It's theater. It's public presentation."

For Harbaugh, magic has sort of become an accelerant for his journey's second act.

"I'm a comedy magician," said Harbaugh. "I'm trying to get into comedy. I'm trying stand-up. All of my shows end up being comedy shows. I just love laughter."

For more information about Steps to Success, go to http://www.stepstosuccessinc.com.