2012 Fairie Festival Featured Guests

Once again, the festival will celebrate the beginning of spring and all of the nature spirits return to the warm world with 70 arts and crafts vendors (mostly featuring handmade art inspired by the little people), performances by musicians and dancers, magicians, participatory maypole dancing accompanied by bagpipes and other music, fairie craft activities such as fairie wand and garland making (involves a small fee), food vendors, fairie and other nature spirit environments to explore, a Nature Place offering a place for environmental, health, animal interest and other groups to share their vision, , fairie tea parties, guest appearances by the Green Man, Sweet Pea, Posie and others.

Ari Berk

Ari Berk, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, artist and noted authority on folklore and mythology. His newest books are The Secret History of Giants (Candlewick 2008) and The Secret History of Mermaids (Candlewick 2009); William Shakespeare - His Life and Times (with Kristen McDermott, Candlewick 2010); Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World (with Carolyn Dunn, Abrams 2008), How to Be A Viking (Templar 2008); and several very popular books illustrated by Brian Froud: Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Letters (Abrams 2005); Goblins! (Abrams 2004); and The Runes of Elfland (Abrams 2003). Ari is a Professor at Central Michigan University, teaching mythology, folklore, and medieval literature. He lives in Michigan with his wife, Kris McDermott (a writer and an Associate Professor at Central Michigan University) and their son, Robin. For more information and much curious lore, please visit his website: www.ariberk.com

Twig 

Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom was first sighted at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 2003. In an exclusive interview using today's leading fae linguists, we are able to give you a rare glimpse at the journey she has made from that first apparition. When children see Twig, they are often struck with a sense of awe, wonder, and perhaps a bit of shyness.We were surprised to find that this is exactly how Twig feels when meeting us.The human imagination is a marvel to her. To see what dreams they bring to life, is her most rewarding pursuit.

Carolyn Turgeon

Carolyn Turgeon is an author whose most recent works include Mermaids, and more recently , The Next Full Moon. Carolyn is a world traveler and adventurer, capturing the flavor and essence of distant places. Carolyn is the Editor in Chief of Mermaids, a Gwynn Oak Studios (Faerie Magazine) production, that will be available at Spoutwood.