From Faerie Wings to Viking Sails: The Evolution of Our Newest Adventure
- faerieevents
- May 6
- 3 min read
By Alison Spokes (Executive Director of 4 Wands Faerie Events) The original vision for our events was a fantasy-theme faire primarily focused on faeries, wizards, and dragons—an immersive otherworld of folklore where the magical felt tangible. But even while we were building that world, thoughts of pirates and Vikings lingered in the back of my mind.
The question was how to bring these two worlds together. We debated whether they should remain separate entities and host two different events per year, or evolve the Faerie & Fantasy Faire by merging these two realms into one massive celebration, which we would then rename the Pixies and Plunderers Festival.
Growing Beyond the Great Indoors
Even when we first began planning, I felt strongly that Faeries belonged outdoors. However, as a risk mitigation strategy, we chose to start small and indoors to avoid getting in over our heads. While it was always the goal to move to an outdoor location eventually, starting at the Mary Winspear Centre allowed us to build a solid foundation from which to grow.
The team at Mary Winspear has been absolutely amazing to work with, but after two successful events, we found ourselves packing the venue to near bursting. This success pushed us to seek out outdoor venues much sooner than we had originally predicted.
A New Chapter at Iroquois Park
To encourage us to stay within the Sidney community, the Sidney BIA suggested a move to Iroquois Park. We pitched the concept of a dedicated Pirate and Viking festival to Sidney Council in October and, with their support, Sails & Sagas was born.
This festival is a bold experiment for our team. We are testing several things at once:
The Venue: Can we successfully manage the unique logistics of an outdoor space?
The Budget: Can we balance the increased expenses that come with an outdoor production?
The Timing: How will a new time of year affect our attendance?
When it comes to the Faerie & Fantasy Faire, our team has asked the hard questions: why change what isn't broken? Not to say there isn't room for improvement, but there is a lot that works about our current operation. We have many measures of success with the current model, our vendors are happy, and our attendance keeps growing. But to grow, we must explore. The outcome of Sails & Sagas will ultimately determine the future path of the Faerie & Fantasy Faire.
What to Expect at Sails & Sagas
Despite the new logistics, our core mission remains the same: creating an immersive experience that keeps you entertained from the moment you arrive. When you join us at the jubilee, you can expect:
Live Entertainment: Non-stop music and performances on our main stage A Bustling Marketplace: A juried selection of vendors offering goods specifically curated for our attendees.
throughout the weekend.
Evening Magic: A special night performance featuring fire-spinners and immersive Norse storytelling.
Interactive Fun: Sea-shanty sing-alongs, treasure hunts, and cannon fire!
Character Encounters: Roaming pirates and Vikings wandering the grounds to bring the saga to life.
Family Adventures: Plenty of games and dedicated activities for the little adventurers.
We are stepping into the unknown, trading the comfort of the indoors for the open air and the spirit of the sea. We can't wait to see you at Iroquois Park for this new chapter. Visit https://sailsandsagas.ca/ for more info.
How do you feel about the transition from the indoor setting of the Mary Winspear Centre in Spring to an outdoor festival at Iroquois Park in Summer? Are two festivals better than one?
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