While most places like to get into the spirit of Halloween with ghosts, ghouls, monsters, and witches, the town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, does things a little differently. Every autumn around this time of year, they kick things off with their annual Something Fairy This Way Comes Downtown weekend-wide celebration.
The 2024 installment of this beloved fall fairy festival will run between October 25 and 27. Presented as a fun, free-for-all, family-friendly folly, Something Fairy This Way Comes offers a unique, creative alternative to celebrating the season. It’s the ultimate culmination of Fae Folk and human mingling—a novelty fairytale to override the redundant conventionality of Halloween horror stories.
Initially, Fairy Festivals began life as offshoots of those preexisting popular Renaissance-themed festivals that are all the rage. Unlike Renaissance events, which are more grounded in the history and heritage of the times, fairy festivals focus on folklore and legendary inspirations. Each event is uniquely specific in providing exclusive offerings, with the Shepherdstown event being no exception. There’s even a fun and fanciful fairytale backstory to accompany the event. Click here to read that legendary account in full.
As expected, the whimsical weekend will be laden with captivating storytelling, enthralling character performances, games, avian encounters, hands-on activities, inspiring movies, and a most Magical Marketplace setup. Read more about who will be participating in this year’s marketplace here.
Brace yourself for all sorts of colorful characters to be in attendance, from satyrs to mermaids and so many others. The impressive cast of a thousand will include appearances by Crimson Moon—Queen of the Fairies, Robert Ottoman—storyteller and captain of ceremonies, Asherah—Queen of the Summer Fairies, Hamish Wyvernspur—Proprietor at the Ogre Trading Post, the Faerie Gothmother Posie, Shnizzle the Goblin, living gargoyles, and more. Even celebrity cat Prince Snowflake will be in attendance.
Something Fairy This Way Comes officially begins on Friday, October 25, at 8:30 p.m. with performances by Frenchy and the Punk and special guest performers High Value Antics. This opening night concert will take place at Shepherdstown Opera House as a private ticketed event. Reserve your tickets today by clicking the site link.
The Festival Proper will run on Saturday and Sunday (October 26 and 27) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on both days. The Magical Marketplace will be set up along King Street in front of Town Hall. The McMurran Lawn will assume the portrayal of an enchanted fairyland. Here, you will find available carnival games and exciting hands-on crafts to enjoy (both offered at a minimal nominal fee). Live music and entertainment acts will also occur on location here.
Taking place at the Shepherdstown Opera House on the evening of October 26 will be a special screening of the classic film Something Wicked This Way Comes, based on the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. and tickets are just $13 (limited quantity). Another beloved movie favorite will be showing at the Shepherdstown Opera House on Sunday, October 27 at 3:30 p.m. It will be the appropriately themed animated classic The Last Unicorn, based on the novel by Peter S. Beagle. Click on the link to reserve tickets.
As a free public event, there is no general admission fee for attending Something Fairy This Way Comes. Certain ticketed events, games, and activities, however, do come at an additional cost. You also may want to consider purchasing a special souvenir ticket and a colored copy of the event program, available at just $15. Proceeds directly go towards supporting this sensational seasonal celebration every year.
Events and setup for Something Fairy This Way Comes will comprise the heart of Downtown Shepherdstown all weekend. Learn more about specific locations, participants, and all additional details on the website at www.thefairiesarecoming.com.