Susan Seleen of Madison, Wisconsin, whispers to her pet bird while in the character of Thistledown, Lady of the Brambles, on Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
The World of Faeries Festival drew a crowd of kids into a magical world Saturday in South Elgin.
It was the 12th annual weekend celebration of all things magical.
"We get more and more people coming to this every year," said Gloria Yaeger of Crystal Lake, co-owner of the event with her husband David. "I love the spontaneity of the crowd. Everybody has fun. They relax and they can put the 'adult' in them aside for a couple of hours."
Ellie Butcher, 8, of Hampshire, attended with her two 5-year-old sisters, Audrey and Riley, and with Michelle Hayes and Kay Lincicome, both of Elgin. It was their first time attending the festival.
"It just seems magical!" Ellie said. "It's sort of funny, but I like how my nanna is turning back into a 3-year-old being here. ... I can't wait to sprinkle some of the fairy dust that I got on my dolls when I get home so that they'll come alive!"
Michelle Hayes of Elgin, Ellie's grandmother, was indeed enchanted.
"I wish I was 5 years old again just to experience this as a 5-year-old," she said. "I love all the imagination and creativity that went into it."
The Blue Rose Mermaid, who did not wish to be named, splashes her tail during her show at the World of Faeries Festival on Saturday in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
Living statue Melissa Carlson of Mundelein shakes hands with a fairgoer Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
Ellie Butcher, 8, of Hampshire reacts to her new flower hairpiece alongside Karen Lovell of Crystal Lake in Lovell's stall, Floral Flair, on Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
A two-year-old red iguana named Natsu watches passers-by from the shoulder of Lyric Mensen of Shawano, Wisconsin, on Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
Joshua Safford of Chicago performs magic tricks for festivalgoers in the character of Jeremiah Wiggins, human ambassador to the Faeries, on Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com
Kali Napoleon, 5, of Lake Zurich chases bubbles Saturday during the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin.
Morgan Timms/mtimms@dailyherald.com