The second-annual Faerie & Fantasy Faire wrapped up in Sidney on March 29, 2026, after welcoming approximately 3,000 visitors to the Mary Winspear Centre over two days.
The event, titled Faerie & Fantasy Faire: Hooves & Horns, featured a variety of fantasy-themed attractions including a goblin market, mermaid grotto, archery lessons, knight battles, live music, storytelling, and a 60-vendor marketplace. Organized by 4 Wands Faerie Events Inc. with support from Creatively United Community, the gathering showed significant growth since its debut last year. The inaugural 2025 event, Wings & Whimsy, sold 1,856 tickets, a figure that tripled initial expectations at the time.
The faire was founded by Sidney-based artist Alison Spokes, who has spent 15 years painting fairies and selling artwork at fairs and festivals. Spokes, who owns the Ethereal Earth Fantasy Art studio, drew inspiration for the local event from her long-standing interest in fantasy festivals. The Mary Winspear Centre, which serves as a central hub for community gatherings, hosted the weekend event.
Looking ahead, organizers are preparing for further expansion of their fantasy-themed programming. A new pirate and viking-themed festival, titled Sails & Sagas: A Pirate & Viking Jubilee, is planned for August 2026 at Iroquois Park in Sidney. There is also the potential for future editions of the Faerie & Fantasy Faire to transition into outdoor festival formats at the park.
