First Berkshire Mountains Faerie Fest in Adams, MA
A Family Day Built Around Fun and Fantasy, June 25
By: Astrid Hiemer - Jun 28, 2016
Berkshire Mountains Faerie Festival of Adams, Massachusetts
June 25th, 2016, at Bowe Field
We had only an hour to visit on a very busy weekend and it was a fantastic hour! Snapping photos everywhere, we preserved moments in the lives of hundreds of participants and guests, who were caught up in the magic of the day – and so were we.
Of course, the small guests were most delightful, yet adults, who came with them, were also dressed up for the day in inventive costumes as creatures of the forest. It was a hot and sunny day, how wonderful. Faerie wings, small and large, were the hit for this occasion. If you did not bring a pair, they were available for a nominal price. Even faeries have to pay in real currency.
The organization of the festival was astounding, sponsored by the Adams Arts Advisory Board, and Bowe Field offered the right size for a day’s adventures. There was probably room for 300 cars plus, and at the end of the day, from 10 am to 10 pm, more than 2000 visitors had passed the 15 feet tall entrance gate, painted and built by Bill and Francie Riley. Huge plants, berries, flowers, mushrooms and a butterfly, all in bold colors invited every guest to enter the realm of the mountains and forests. Just follow the flight of the butterfly and that was the beginning into fantasy-land.
A shady area provided room for beloved puppet theater performances, hula-hoop games, book readings, a rest area, and a gnome, whose goodies had disappeared early in the day. He was still there to interact with many small guests and answer questions like: “Did you grow your own ears?”
Jana Laiz, the specially invited Author of the Festival, presented several books and introduced her 2016 published volume The Twelfth Stone. Her books, for children and adults alike, are based in fantasy and also present environmental issues, Celtic folklore and music as well as immigrant and refugee stories. Or, A Free Woman on God’s Earth is the true story of Elizabeth ‘Mumbet’ Freeman, the slave who won her freedom. Ms. Laiz teaches otherwise writing and offers different workshops for many ages.
Entertainment was scheduled all day in the permanent structure at Bowe Field, a large open shed, which allowed for respite from the sun. We listened to the final song of Bernadette McMahon and her ukelele. Many vendors offered colorful and fantastic craft items and, of course, there were food and drinks to feed the hungry and thirsty.
A people peddled and powered float, minus its inventive structure awaits inauguration at another event, once a mechanical issue has been resolved. George LeMaitre, the master for this big task, will solve it. Children, nevertheless, enjoyed climbing and peddling in place.
We walked from stand to stall and greeted our friends, participants and guests in the Magical Kingdom of a Day: Among them The Faerie Queen and Princess, always ready to be photographed with children; a Deer-Woman-Faerie; and the Keeper of Time, clad in a monk’s habit, walked the field and announced loudly the continuing program. We were really curious about the 7:20 pm procession to light the dragon fire pit and overheard visitors saying that they would return for evening events. We had to miss them.
What fun: Spread Your Wings & Fly! A motto, given at the exit to everyone to remember while leaving the magical grounds. Surely, the day’s experiences and impressions would linger long, particularly for those, who have not given up on fables and fantasies in life.