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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It's a place where smiles are rarely seen, but Thursday was an exception at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Kids currently staying at the hospital were able to take part in an egg decorating contest. The event was put together by Disney on Ice.

"Our kids who have to be here and they're sick, it just brightens their day and it's unexpected. They didn't know Minnie and Mickey were coming. They knew Disney on Ice was in town, so when the characters show up, it's just exciting," childlife specialist Geri Young said. "It makes their day, makes their hospital stay a little better."

Currently, Disney on Ice is celebrating their 100 Years of Magic by touring through southern Colorado. Despite their busy schedule, one of the performers said this is the best use of her time off.

"It's so great to see everyone's faces light up when I skate at the show, but on my days off, to come out here and see these kids faces means even more to me," Disney on Ice skater Ellie Elchert said. "Maybe they're not able to go to Disney World or or not be able to go to a show, but to see their faces light up and so much cheer to them means so much to me."

The children at the hospital were each given a stuffed Mickey toy and a free ticket to a Disney on Ice performance.

"It's awesome," Joshua Longo, the father of a patient said. "This is perfect. It's good to see her smile mostly. Kind of takes your mind off everything. It's awesome."

The parents and kids weren't the only ones impressed. The staff said these events help everyone's mood.

"The smile on the kids' faces, the smiles on the staff, the parents, the character. They take this time out of their busy schedule. They're here to do five or six shows in a short amount of time they have to travel and they come and see us and make our kids' day so wonderful. It's exciting," Young said.

Disney on Ice is performing at the World Arena Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are still available.