Perhaps it’s the perfect time for a little faerie magic.

The World of Faeries Festival, now in its 17th year, returns to the western suburbs Aug. 7 and 8 for family-friendly fantasy fun.

“What we like about the festival is its spontaneous,” said Gloria Yaeger, who created the event 17 years ago with her husband, David. “You never know when people will pop up and bring a drum and drum something in the vendor’s circle or be on the outskirts telling a story or juggling. And that’s what I like about it. People are spontaneous. They just join in the fun.”

The festival is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 7 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 8 at Vasa Park in South Elgin. General admission tickets are $15, with a $2 discount on single and pairs of tickets purchased in advance online. At the gate only are discount senior tickets for $8, a weekend pass for $25 and a four-to-a-car admission of $55. All children 12 and younger are free.

“The families really get into it. In the beginning they weren’t too sure about what this is,” Yaeger said with a laugh. “The little kids were coming dressed with their wings on and coming dressed in whatever.

“But it’s a fantasy and faerie festival, so you are encouraged, if you want to, to come dressed in any fantasy outfit that you might have. And some of the families do, so it’s nice to see that they’re joining in on the fun.”

Inspired by the Spoutwood Faerie Festival originating in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, nearly three decades ago, the Yaegers wanted to do something similar in Illinois. Vasa Park, she said, was the ideal space. And even though the festival has grown over the years, the space still works.

Roaming entertainers including storytellers stroll through the festival. The International Heritage Conservancy will offer raptor education and visits. Swords of Valour will demonstrate sword fighting. Families can work together on a quest or visit the living statue in the park.

“She will stand for hours in one part of the park,” Yaeger said.

Children’s activities include a craft tent, face painter, balloon elf and numerous tea times. A mermaid will blow bubbles with the children, tell stories and share coloring pages.

“And the park is small enough that we have the children’s playground close enough that the parents can actually sit, listen to the music on the stage and see the kiddie playground and feel safe,” Yaeger said.

Music is nonstop on the stage, she said, with musicians performing a variety of music including world, Celtic, acoustic, folk, cabaret and more. On Aug. 8 only, The Harp Twins will play heavy metal on harps.

“They’re a special favorite,” Yaeger said. “And they’ve been so busy they can only give us Sunday the last two years. We’re hoping to have them back Saturday and Sunday next year.”

Yaeger said she is grateful the festival can take place this year, after COVID-19 forced its cancellation in 2020. The event, she said, is being extra cautious this year with additional safety measures in place. Those who aren’t vaccinated are advised to wear a mask.

“I have plenty of room between all of the vendor tents,” she said.

There is limited seating at the numerous tea times where disposable cups will be used.

“We just want to take a little extra precaution,” Yaeger said.

With the festival now in its 17th year, families that attend each year have seen their children grow up and bring a new generation.

“(They said) ‘I’ve actually raised my family coming to this festival every year,’ ” Yaeger said. “It’s kind of nice to hear.”

The motto of the festival is “We Create Happiness,” she said.

“It’s true …” Yaeger said. “Even for a weekend. You can just be happy and forget the outside world. We encourage adults to forget about being adults for a while and just come to the park and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Kathy Cichon is freelance reporter for the Courier-News.