Stefen Markle, of Inwood, holds Oracle, a Taita falcon, with the help of falconer Chris Ross, right, at the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Goblins, gargoyles, ogres, elves and fairies filled the streets of downtown Shepherdstown, as they participated in the second Shepherdstown Fairy Festival over the weekend.

The festival was last held at Sam Michaels Park two years ago, when it was founded by Creative Procrastinations & Whimsical Necessities owner Emma Casale. Casale brought the festival back this year, choosing to hold it in its namesake town this time.

“We always wanted it to be in Shepherdstown,” Casale said, mentioning she had originally planned for the first festival to be in Shepherdstown, but had to find a different location, due to not having enough time before the festival to complete the town’s lengthy special event application process.

Now, after experiencing the festival in Shepherdstown, Casale said she plans to alternate between holding the festival every two years at Sam Michaels Park and in downtown Shepherdstown.

“I wanted people to come in and see our town. And I wanted to do something a little different this year,” Casale said.

Kearneysville resident Samirah Tamimi, right, stands beside Dumbledore, portrayed by Rob Caruso, and her nephew, Elijah Tamimi, at the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival. Tabitha Johnston

For some, the new location proved less desirable, as it changed the overall festival experience for them.

“I liked the other one better,” said Lori Houghton, of Spring Mills.

Houghton came to the festival with her four-year-old and two-year-old granddaughters, who were dressed up like fairies, in matching tutus and wings. She said her granddaughters were particularly disappointed to learn that the only face painting artist at the festival had backed out of it at the last minute.

“That’s a huge thing, to be missing face painting at a fairy festival,” Houghton said. “I like it being in Shepherdstown. It just needs to be bigger and on a similar scale with the last one.”

Many others, however, were pleased with the changes to this year’s festival.

Shnizzle the Goblin, from Goblonia, walks down German Street during the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

“It was really good last time — don’t get me wrong,” said Stefen Markle, of Inwood. “It was nice, but this one was a lot better. There were a lot more interesting interactions than there were a couple years ago. Every year they make it better!”

Markle particularly enjoyed getting the chance to hold a Taita falcon, at the Avian Encounters booth.

“We were here at the last festival in Harpers Ferry.,” said Avian Encounters CEO and proprietor Rachel Seratte. “I’m friends with Emma, and when I heard about her plans to create a fairy festival, I was quite excited and offered for us to be here.”

Seratte noted that birds hold mythological significance, making them particularly appropriate to be featured at fairy festivals.

“For generations, falcons, owls and corvids have been associated with the realm of fairy and entry into a magical realm,” Seratte said. “Corvids are typically considered to be messengers between different realms of reality and not-reality. Owls are viewed as guardians of groves. They have long been used as sentries and guardians, because if an owl takes up residence somewhere, they will give an alert when there is something present that is not supposed to be there.”

Gargoyles Grisette, right, and Lunamor stand security in front of McMurran Hall during the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

At the Harpers Fairies booth, Maryanne Caruso could be found selling handmade fairy doors and clothing items for both adults and children. She said that, for her, the thing she loves most about the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival — both this year and in 2022 — is how it welcomes everyone, regardless of age.

“Make believe should never go away!” Caruso said.

Lori Houghton, of Spring Mills, with her granddaughters, Mila Hoeltje, 4, left, and Maci Hoeltje, 2, at the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Matt DeBlass plays the harps and sings folk songs to passersby at the Shepherdstown Fairy Festival on Saturday.