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CHELSEA — If you felt magic in the air or saw an enchanted winged beauty flit by this weekend, that is because this weekend was dedicated to the fairies. Windy Goat Acres in Chelsea hosted yet another fabulous event filled with fantasy and fun.
The Faery Experience was an immersive retreat that brought you into the whimsical world of the fairies at every corner. Bubbles and balloons floated around like leaves on the wind as people, in costume and out, walked around in wonder. Windy Goat Acres took its usual storybook-like appeal to new heights with the decoration for this weekend’s event. One of the first things the keen observer noticed upon entering Windy Goat’s realm of magic was the Fairy Rings that polka-dotted the grass. Past these mysterious pixie circles, six-foot dandelions poked up from the gardens.
The dandelions were only one indication that you were shrinking as you walked further into Windy Goat Acres. Toadstools quickly went from underfoot to overhead, and a lantern was soon large enough to be used as a photo booth. There also was a six-foot-tall frog in a top hat and overalls lurking on the hill. One of the multiple activities featured at the event was chess, with pieces the size of dogs. Throughout the day, fairies challenged one another, hefting knights to check the king.
These giant items gave every fairy that miniature feel. Fairies of all makes and backgrounds were in attendance. There were fairies with flowers interwoven in their hair and fairies with wings like a butterfly. There were fairies with wings of fire and fairies with hats more colorful than spring. Then, of course, there were some fairies with darker charms donning long, sharp horns and wings as black as coal.
Every soul gathered around when the music started to play. The loot, the flute, the harp, the drums, fairies sang, and fairies danced. The music was also used for games, including several spirited rounds of musical toadstools.
Vendors were sprinkled throughout the grounds for all of your magical needs. There was everything from freeze-dried candy from Conrad to Kayella’s food truck from right here in Tama-Toledo. Some vendors offered healing crystals and stones, Marshalltown’s own October Ember’s several marvelous items to offer, including tarot readings. Art was, as always, very prevalent at Windy Goat Acres. One vendor spent some of her time painting an intricate fantastical tree. Another was a caricature artist who spent the day capturing the likenesses of all the fairies that attended.
A slew of activities were set up and scheduled for the present fairies. One particular event was the hula hooping class. Children and adults alike gathered around to learn from an expert fairy how to master flipping, throwing, and spinning the hula hoop.
If you decided to mow your lawn or trim your trees this weekend instead of checking out all the pointed-eared fantasy fun, don’t worry; Windy Goat Acres is always working on planning another event or retreat. So, make sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram to keep atop of all coming events. Or, of course, just follow the fairy dust.