Shepherdstown Fairy festival to be held in new location, with different attractions
SHEPHERDSTOWN — After a two-year hiatus, the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival will return to Jefferson County at the end of the month.
While the festival was previously held at Sam Michaels Park, it is making a locational change to downtown Shepherdstown this year. This change, according to organizer Emma Casale, not only fits the festival’s name better, but also will allow the festival to partner together with more Shepherdstown-based businesses than were previously possible.
“We always wanted it to be in Shepherdstown,” Casale said, mentioning organizing a festival in this location is more challenging, though ultimately worthwhile. “I wanted people to come in and see our town. And I wanted to do something a little different this year.”
Another change to the festival, Casale noted, will be that it will be lengthened from a two-day to a three-day event.
A concert will kick off the long weekend at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, featuring the music of Frenchy and the Punk in The Shepherdstown Opera House. The Shepherdstown Opera House will also be rented out for two other festival events: an 8:30 p.m. screening of the film based on Ray Bradbury’s novel, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” on Oct. 26 and a 3:30 p.m. screening of the animated film, “The Last Unicorn,” on Oct. 27.
The Magical Marketplace in front of Town Hall on King Street will be open on Oct. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring a wide variety of items on sale. Children will find there fun right next door, on McMurran Hall’s lawn, where 10 different carnival games, crafts and live performances by a whole crew of 15 storytellers and magical characters will take place.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun!” Casale said.
Outside of the festival lineup, a number of local storefronts will also be joining in with the spirit of the festival.
“We’re partnering with some of the town shops — Badgerhound Studio and Gallery, Four Seasons Books, On the Wings of Dreams and more,” Casale said, mentioning among this number will be her own business, Creative Procrastinations & Whimsical Necessities. “They’re doing fortune telling readings at One the Wings of Dreams. Emily at Badgerhound is going to do a free fairy-making craft and I think she’s also going to do a talk on how to design your own tarot set.”
With the festival coinciding with the timing of some of the Boofest events in Shepherdstown — the town’s month-long series of Halloween activities — Casale said there will also be a partnership happening between the two festivals.
“Normally, Boofest does an Enchanted Tea Party every year, but this year, they’re going to change it to be an Enchanted Tea House,” Casale said, mentioning this meant tea would be available outside of specific seating times. “Festival goers can come in, have tea and then go back out to enjoy the festival.”
General admission is free. However, a fee will be charged for most of the crafts and carnival games. Those who would like to support the festival are encouraged to purchase a souvenir ticket for $15, which will guarantee them a signature enamel pin and a copy of the festival’s full-color program, featuring original stories, festival lore, coloring pages and activites.
To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.thefairiesarecoming.com.