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One week to go!
| (sing to the tune of Scarborough Fair) Are you going to Faery Fest’s faire? Sparkle, mischief, true valiant deeds Remember all, that magic lives there, Among the trees and Riverside reeds. Here you’ll find a dashing sleeved shirt, Or a fitted bodice for sale. Savouries or sweeties for everyone’s palate, And wings for all, dark, rosy or pale. Be ye elven or goblin of kind pixie, faun, or merfolk in guise The spell of our land will keep you entwined dancing ’tween the fool and the wise. We will meet you at Faery Fest’s fair. We will plant the enchanted seeds. Remember all, that magic lives there, Among the trees and Riverside reeds |
One Week Until FAERY FEST!
It’s just around the corner! Faery Fest begins on June 21st this year at 10am! Are you as excited as I am? I think you are! I have been hearing from many of you, and others in the community. The word is out that all manner of magical creatures will be joining us this year in Guelph’s Riverside Park! It’s very encouraging to know how supportive you all are, and how far the word-of-mouth has travelled.
Some of you may not know that Faery Fest is completely 100% non profit. Faery Fest was created for you the faire goers, faery enthusiasts, merchants, performers, and volunteers. Because you love what you do at Faery Fest, we make it happen. Faery Fest is a faire for faire’s sake with no profit making interest. And I think this is in part what makes our fair special in so many hearts. The other part is, of course, because you will be there to celebrate the magic of fantasy with us!
What to expect at this year’s Faery Fest
Entertainment
This year, we have pulled out the stops for you, and booked a tonne of entertainment. On Two Stages, in the Enchanted Grove, at the Front Gate, on the Blackthorn Field of Combat, and in the Pub, there is everything: music, theatre, magic, knight’s fighting, dancing, comedy, you name it!
Gone are the days of one thing at a time. Visitors will have to choose and plan their experience by looking at the program given to everyone at the gate. Or heck, maybe you’ll just come both days so you can experience everything! We don’t mind. We just love your energy there! It fills the park with laughter, applause and appreciation of all things creative. The faery artist does not live by bread alone.
Activities
Once again we have the famed Queen’s Tea every day at 2pm, where the youngest of us can experience an oh-so-civilized and charming sit down with the Glorious Queen of the Light Faeries. The intriguing Maze also returns along with a host of other games.
Last year our visitors were pro-active in telling us what they want. And we delivered! There are more free fun activities than every before. Workshops, craft stops, bubbles, quests and more will delight the kiddies. Every child will be given a bag of magic beans at the front gate. They can use the beans for all free activities, and have chances to win even more!
Shopping
Do you love shopping? We have a merchant village of over 30 independent vendors. Make sure you bring some cash (there is no bank machine on site) because Faery Fest takes pride in showcasing some of the most talented artisans in Ontario! You will definitely want to take something home with you, or adorn yourself appropriately with horns, wings, flowers, leatherwork... maybe a knightly sword? a magical pet? They will all be there for you.
Food & Drink
Don’t worry about a picnic! We’ve got that covered. There are plenty of lunch and snack food choices for all tastes. Soft drinks, juice and water will all be available. If you are “of-age”, do drop by the Faery Froth Pub for some fine Wellington Brewery Ale and Lager, as well as a selection of coolers.
A Midsummer Night’s Masquerade (Saturday June 21, 8pm)
Every year Faery Fest Hosts the Midsummer Night Masquerade Ball on Saturday evening. As is traditional, we have Relative Harmony playing and teaching the easy but extravagantly beautiful and breathlessly heel raising dances! Masks and costumes are encouraged! Everyone wearing a costume will receive a special gift.
This year we are further blessed with a break in the middle of the dancing that includes a fashion show, a fire poi spinning performance, a costume competition and more!
The cost is a mere $10-pre-ordered ($12 at the gate) to help Faery Fest continue to provide you with spectacular entertainment!
The Masquerade Ball is geared towards adults, meaning we won’t have any children’s programming. However, The Masquerade Ball welcomes the children of attending adults as long as everyone understands there is a PG-13 rating (mildly mature themes and adult activities, such as alcohol consumption) at the Ball in the evening.
Tickets will be available at the door, but will also be sold at the Guelph Farmers Market at the early bird price of $10 on the morning of the previous Saturday (June 14th), or you can pre-order them by calling 519-824-2362.
Faery Fest Frequently Asked Questions
When is Faery Fest?
Faery Fest is held each year on Midsummer Weekend. This midsummer weekend just happens to happens to fall exactly on Midsummer’s Day! So we will see you there on Saturday June 21st, and Sunday June 22nd from 10am - 5pm for the regular festival.
Where is Faery Fest?
Faery Fest magically appears in Guelph’s Beautiful Riverside Park in the bandshell area.
Does Faery Fest cost money to addend?
Yes, it does. Adults are $6.00 to enter, unless they are senior citizens who are $4.00. Children 6-12 are also $4.00, while children 5 and under are allowed in for free. Teens 13 and older are the regular adult fare. Some games at Faery Fest require a $1.00 fee, but we have also have many free activities for children (see above).
Why does Faery Fest cost money?
Faery Fest is a non-profit organization. This means we don’t make money from the event. We create it, and run it for you. That doesn’t mean that Faery Fest doesn’t cost us money to run. It takes a lot of money to run this festival to pay for the site, tent rentals, performers, insurance, security, extra washrooms, and that’s just the beginning.
Fortunately, we did receive assistance from some very special businesses this year as we have other years. And this helps to keep your admission fees as wonderfully low as they are! Thank you is due to the City of Guelph, Wellington Brewery, The Dragon, Party Corner, First Light Theatre, Minuteman Press, and Royal City Nursery for their cash and in-kind support of Faery Fest!
Will there be a bank machine at Faery Fest?
No, there will be no bank machine. So bring cash to eat, play certain games, and shop! If you are desperate, there are bank machines at a number of variety stores in the area, but you will have to leave the site to find them.
Can I dress up?
Absolutely! Please please please do! You will get more attention from merchants and performers if you dress up. Everyone appreciates seeing fun fantasy costumes. Do keep in mind that you will be pretty out-of-place if you wear something space-age or overtly modern. If you stick with the theme of fantasy in olden times, then you will get the best immersive experience!
Do I have to dress up?
No, you don’t have to dress up at all. If summer-casual is all you want to wear, then you will be comfortable. You will, however, be able to enjoy the many people who do attend Faery Fest dressed up. I’m not talking about the volunteer actors either. You will be surprised and delighted to see all of the costumes visitors wear to Faery Fest. Do take the time to tell them how impressed you are. They will love it!
What is a Faery Fest participant?
A Faery Fest Participant is anyone who volunteers, performs, or has a vending booth at Faery Fest. These people are the roots and stalks of the festival. They populate and build the village you will explore. They entertain you and turn Riverside Park into a magical place. Faery Fest participants do not pay admission fees, but vendors do pay a site-fee to help afford the cost of renting the land on which we play.
Can I be a merchant/vendor at Faery Fest?
Faery Fest is very careful to ensure the quality of merchandise at Faery Fest. If you would like to vend at Faery Fest 2009, please check the Faery Fest website in September 2008 and download the vendor application form. We are no longer accepting vendor applications for this year’s festival.
Can I be a performer at Faery Fest?
We have booked so much entertainment this year! You will be pleased. If you would like to perform at Faery Fest 2009, please check the Faery Fest website in September 2008 and download the performer application form. We are no longer accepting performance applications for this year’s festival, but you will be considered for 2009. Please keep in mind that we have a limited budget, and we cannot hire everyone.
Can I be a volunteer at Faery Fest?
YES YES YES you can! And you can be a volunteer this year in fact! Please contact us by email (info@faeryfest.com) and we will find the most suitable volunteer position for you. Volunteers do not pay admission on the day they volunteer at Faery Fest. Positions include set-up and take down, gate keepers, booth assistants, and others. Faery Fest also has a volunteer cast for the “Faery Show”, but all of the cast positions are taken this year.
Is there camping at Faery Fest?
It is with sadness I say that I have not been able to secure any camping next to the Faery Fest site for participants. But I will point you in a few directions, should you need accommodation. Immediately adjacent to the park is a small place called the Parkview Motel. It’s only a stumble home through the park from Faery Fest to this motel. There is also the Guelph Lake Conservation Area, which has some very nice camping and is only a short drive away. An even shorter drive down the street will bring you to more hotels.
Have a question that is not covered here?
Please visit our website www.faeryfest.com. If you do not find an answer there, feel free to give Shawn or Glenn a call at 519-824-2362.
Participant Potluck and Awards Ceremonies
Note: The following events are not held during the regular hours of Faery Fest, so if you are not a volunteer, performer, or merchant, we apologize, because this information is not meant for you.
On Saturday (June 21st) evening, after the gates to Faery Fest close, there will be a participant potluck held in the Faery Froth pub, starting at 6pm. Please bring something you’ve made or bought to share with the rest of the folks there. The potluck will last until 7:45, at which point we will have to clear the pub in preparation for the Midsummer Night’s Masquerade.
On Saturday evening, in the Faery Froth pub, we will be presenting some thank you awards to merchants who have been extremely helpful to us over the years. So if you are a merchant, please be sure to attend and join in the appreciation.
On Sunday evening, after the gates of Faery Fest close, we will be presenting thank you awards to volunteers of Faery Fest starting at 6:30pm. So if you are a volunteer, please stick around for the awards and some pizza!
And finally, I would like to thank all the merchants who helped out last year by donating to our raffle. We have decided to have a silent auction this year instead of a raffle because of the almost impossible rules we need to follow for a raffle license. Since a silent auction does not have a random element, we don’t need such a license. Someone will be visiting you Saturday between 9:30 and 10am after you have set up, to see if you would be kind enough to donate something to the Silent Auction. Not only are you helping us continue the festival, but it is another opportunity for people to view your beautiful creations!
This Year’s Interesting Links
All about Puck
Here is a website I found when recently searching information about the character Puck in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Puck is a trickster, a goblin, a faun, a pixie. He has many forms, both new and ancient. Read what Allen Wright has to say:
http://www.boldoutlaw.com/puckrobin/puckjour.html
Best way to apply ears
Brownie, in our forums, posted a great Instructables link for applying elf ears in 5 minutes.
World of Froud
Ok, if you love faeries and you don’t know about this website you are way behind! :) So get up to speed and visit:
http://www.worldoffroud.com
Faire thee wells and well mets
I will leave you now to enjoy your time preparing for Faery Fest. Whether you are a vendor furiously making wares to be ready, a performer prepping your character, an excited masquerader sewing your costume and wings, or an inquisitive visitor eager to learn more at this year’s event, I’m sure you will soon be busy. I look forward to meeting with you there on those spellbound lands in Riverside Park.
(In the interest of health, don’t forget sun-screen and drink plenty of water at the fair. As you know, it get’s warm this time of year.)
With fondness and building excitement,
T. Shawn Johnson
(Faery Fest Facilitator)
