Faerie Lore and Legends

New York Faerie Festival 2013
* http://www.nyfaeriefest.com/ * Ouaquaga, New York *

Each summer towards the end of June a special portal opens to the Faerie Realm in the farmlands of New york state just east of Binghamton on a very magical nature sanctuary dedicated to the Fae. We decided this year to venture forth to this magical event. On our 2013 visit we came to enjoy the fantasy lands from June 28th until June 30th as the portal remained open. We were first to pass over the slippery muds from the rainstorms that dotted the event. Meeting goblins, mermaids, trolls, and orcs definitely sparked the imagination as we hiked along the paths to the stone circle, bathed on the mermaid beach, crossed the troll bridge, met the tooth fairy, and admired various altars. Frolicking with the Faerie queen, pixies, and elves … dancing to the amazing music of a plethera of talent on its stages. It was family fun for all ages. The merchant village had great artists and craftsmen, food stuffs, and goodies, and amazing faerie chai teas. Time in the realm, albeit wet, was wonderful as the festival was added to one of my current favorites. Rating: 5 stars out of 5

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Faerieworlds 2010
* Friday, 30 July 2010 – Sunday, 1 August 2010 * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon * http://www.faerieworlds.com/ *
Every year the portals between the worlds of mortals and faeries open in Eugene, Oregon. For these last two years, this magical space has manifested itself at the Buford Recreation Park in the Mount Pisgah Arboretum just south of Eugene, Oregon. Every year, Faerieworlds becomes more and more spectacular – and this year was none-other. Faerieworlds has become re-designed with an inner circle of camping consisting of over 300 camp sites on its eastern end with night-time activities going from dusk and beyond to dawn’s sparkling lights. Every year, more and more mortals and faeries come together to dance, celebrate life, frolick, play, dress-up, make music, art, and tell stories. A health-conscious food court awaits those hungry souls for culinary delights; hundreds of artisans and merchants brandishing their wares for the shopper’s pleasure, and costumery, face painting, books, authors, and artistry awaits those intrigued by written and artistic beauty with ability to meet the world reknown faerie artists such as Brian and Wendy Froud and Amy Brown. Mesmerizing music from Faun, Woodland, Delhi 2 Dublin, Tricky Pixie, David Helfand, Brother, Man Overboard, Gypsy Nomads, Talesma, Tyler Fortier, Taarka, Stellamara, Mingushki, Marcus Fire, Ghillie Dhu, Vixy and Tony, High Priestess, Madrona, and SJ Tucker amongst others. A new addition of a sacred Celtic standing stone circle and a wishing tree to enchant wandering souls in Faerieland. More recycling and conscious attention to healing of the Earth. Fires for music jam sessions, spinning, and storytelling in the evenings; a dome with DJ’s and dance parties. Aerial arts, hullahooping, fire spinning, and belly dancing. Lots of activities for the kids and adults alike. Swimming and cooling off with the selchies and mer-people in the Willamette River and hiking trails full of woodland creatures and winged pixies. As always, Faerieworlds never disappoints and was a spectacular whirlwind of fun and otherworldly pleasure. Still hands down the best Faerie festival I’ve had the pleasure of attending. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Faerieworlds: Day 1 – Good Faeries Day
 

 
Faerieworlds Day 2: Bad Faeries
Faerieworlds Day 3: Family Faerie Day
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Faerieworlds Day 2: Bad Faeries
* Saturday, 31 July 2010 * Faerieworlds 2010 * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon *
Bad Faeries Day is traditionally one of the most happening days at Faerieworlds. It is the day when the fae let go and welcome the mischief, the naughty, the friskyness, and fully enjoy the party. A time of shadows, of mystery, of hidden things. Occuring on the second day of the festival, its also the time when the party peaks, friends have re-acquainted, new friends made, and everyone is settled into camp – unlike Day 1 when everyone is tired from setting up camp or a weary road trip, or day three when they are packing up and preparing to return to the mortal realm. Bad Faeries Day is the day to let loose. Now with Faerieworlds having 24 hour activities onwards even through the wee-hours of the night, it is the time to completely unwind, celebrate, and frolick. My personal experience with this day was filled with photo shoots in the woods, swimming naked in the river, frolicking in the fields, dancing non-stop to the most excellent tunes of Man Overboard, Gypsy Nomads, Talesma, Delhi 2 Dublin, Faun, and a dark Bad Faeries Night Ritual: “When Darkness Falls”, more Tricky Pixie rocking us into the week hours of the night, and acrobatics, fire spinning, poi, and performance art. Fire side music jam sessions, partyings, and festive campfire enjoyment. This Bad Faeries Day was the best ever. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
 

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