Mystical fun coming back to Rockton at May Day Faerie Festival

Settlers Park in Rockton will be filled with mystical, mythical, magical fun and new adventures on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Rockton's second annual May Day Faerie Festival.

Capture the splendor in Settler's Park with family and friends from 10 am until 4 pm, with part of the action set for specific times.

Christopher and Bridgett Holden of Reverent Henna, Rachel Bixby of Alchemy Wellness, Pam Barnes and Tess Luchini, and other supportive friends have come together to blend ideas that lead to imaginative fun.

“As health professionals, we want to continue providing a holistic approach to contributing to a healthy mind and body. It is important to get people out in nature through energy, arts, dancing, literature, the labyrinth, and to see the horses and ponies,” c0-organizer Bridgett Holden said.

“The festival was very well received by the community last year.”

The idea for the first Faerie Festival came from the personal experience of one of last year's co-organizers, Rachel Lynch.

“I used to take my children to the Fairy Festival at Womanspace in Rockford until they stopped having the event,” Lynch said. “In the last few years, pictures have popped up in Facebook memories. I would always say I miss going to it.”

Lynch suggested to a couple of friends that Rockton should have a fairy festival. Rachel Bixby was one of the first friends to say that she has been ready and waiting to have a fairy festival her entire life.

Bixby drew up her ideas, and Lynch added her favorite things from past festivals.
The ladies then approached Christopher and Bridgett Holden of Reverent Henna to become a vendors. They replied that they would actually like to partner on the event. They proceeded to design the logo and fliers.

Once again, Faerie Festival guests are invited to the “Walk as One at 1” at the Labyrinth Walk as part of “World Labyrinth Day,” a global event.

The inspiration for the labyrinth was the one that Womanspace has. It is used for walking, meditation to help lower blood pressure, relaxation, and emotional and mental health.

Rockton school district librarian Kelly Baumgartner is offering a special story to listen to along the Gail Trail. A labyrinth-themed children's book will be featured.
A labyrinth is a complicated irregular network of passages or paths, but with a clear entrance and exit. Otherwise, it is similar to a maze, which may have tricks and dead ends. Labyrinths are designed to foster contemplation and spiritual transformation.

The labyrinth pattern appears in many ancient cultures throughout the world, as well as in the medieval Catholic Church.

The 11-circuit design found in Chartres Cathedral in France has gained new popularity in the past 30 years and is the model for the labyrinths at Womanspace and Settlers Park.

Everyone is encouraged to get in the full spirit of the day by wearing their best costume.

Sounding bowls will be played and heard, complete with fairyland meditation.
Learn how to apply relaxation techniques with Sacred Tree and Inner Prana Yoga, led by Amelia Morris and Michelle Taormino.

At noon, watch a colorful and cheerful parade of faeries and sprites (a supernatural spirit, a mythical fairy-like creature who lives by the water, sometimes even tricksy) as all costumed participants and mini pony unicorns walk through Settlers Park.

• The German Society of Rockford will lead everyone in the unique experience of may pole dancing.
• Astrology and tarot card readings enlighten the senses in different ways. These are both part of the magical aspect of the fairy world.
• Search from clues given during a Faerie Scavenger hunt.
• Try your hand at various event-themed games.
• Rockton Lions Club is welcoming young ones to jump into a bouncy house.
• Listen to live music and an interactive performance by the talented musician David Stocker, who will also lead in a drum circle.
• Rockton troubadour Kevin Burns will bring his acoustic styling into the park from 10 am until noon.
• Plant a mental seed for something your heart wants at a Wishing Tree.
• Henna tattoos, face painting, faerie wands and crowns, jewelry and flowers, gems and crystals offer even more options to find magic in the event.
• Use your imagination as you get crafty. Feel childlike again while having fun with bubbles.
• Look for a gnome pushing an eye-catching, unique type of cart.
• Over 30 vendors will be on-site, with one-of-a-kind and useful goods. Take a break while stopping by food and beverage trucks
• Meet and greet the Royal Court, which includes the May Queen, Faeries, Green Man, and Mystical Ones.
• Rachel Bixbe has donated books and blogs detailing the reasons why the committee is doing this event.

A full schedule of the days action and vendor spotlights can be found on the Rockton May Day Faerie Festival event page.

There is no charge to come out and to create a day full of memories in a peaceful and tranquil environment.