Special needs students from all over Dallas County were met by Sparky the Fire Dog, Spongebob Squarepants, Micky and Minnie Mouse and other delightful characters Wednesday at the Carl. C. Morgan Convention Center.

The Joker wasn’t so delightful, since he was running around popping balloons and causing chaos, but Batman saved the day leaving the children to dance the afternoon away with some of their favorite characters.

The characters were just part of the experience made possible by funds generated by the annual Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic, organized by Selma Mayor George Evans.

“There is no way to describe it except it just warms my heart to see a smile on a child’s face and a young adult’s face for something like this, because how many opportunities do they get,” Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said. “This is a lifetime event for them here today and I am just so proud to be a part of it.”

Selma Fire Chief Mike Stokes stayed on the microphone most of the event, keeping the children entertained and encouraging them to get up and dance with the characters.

“We let the kids dictate what we do and how long it goes,” Stokes said “It is nothing that is pre-scripted. It is something where the kids respond and we respond.”

The children were given the chance to take a photo with any of the characters that they wanted. Princess Fiona, Wonderwoman and Catwoman also made appearances.

The children were fed and a bounce house was set up outside. A magician, Bob Sanders, even helped some of the kids in the crowd do magic of their own with ropes and flags.

The funds for the event come from the Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic, which starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Valley Grande Golf Course.

“A whole lot of people contribute,” Evans said. “It is a team effort. Not one individual gets credit for this. It is everybody working together that brought about all of this.”

The tournament, which is a three-man scramble, will benefit six charities: Cahaba Center for Mental Health, West Alabama Rehabilitation-Easter Seals, The Journey School, Selma City Schools, Dallas County Schools and the Selma Disability Advocacy Center.

Registration for the tournament is $75 per player or $225 per team. At the end of the tournament, the teams will be flighted with the first, second and third place in each flight receiving prizes.