A curb appeal campaign sprouts wings and takes off in a new direction as the community-building Fair Door Festival is in Saanich this weekend.
The previous Gorge Tillicum Neighbourhood Association campaign included temporary art installations visible from the street, explained board member Reb Stevenson.
“We had a number of people do it and it was fun, but we noticed especially last year several people put up fairy doors,” said Stevenson, who also organizes the festival. “The great thing about the fairy doors is they stayed up.”
So this year, the organization made an official shift, focusing on its Fairy Door Festival May 1 to 14. While the community association boundaries are from are Harriet and Admirals roads, and Gorge Road north that doesn’t preclude anyone from enjoying the spectacle.
“It’s spring time so flowers and fairies and nature are on everyone’s minds. It’s a good time to get out that fairy door and add it to your garden,” she said.
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The neighbourhood association hosts its own fairy parade during the festival, but welcomes guests to come pursue the neighbourhood any time over the two weeks.
Stevenson sees neighbours creating private fairy door making parties, and encourages others to do the same.
“You could have a few friends over and get supplies … it’s super easy to make your own,” she said. “There are just so many ways to get one or make one.”
Fairies afford a customizable level of whimsy, from something crafted of twig and moss and items in the yard, to glitter and glam worthy of Tinkerbell, “you can make something that is so subtle and classy so anybody can participate in this,” she said.
Robinson anticipates it’ll bring a little magic to the street, not just in the form of the small doors sprouting from trees, rock and hillsides in yards across the neighbourhood, but also inviting conversation and camaraderie.
“Something like a fairy door invites connection between neighbours and that’s what our community association is all about, building those relationships. Something as simple as a fairy door allows your to come over and say something,” she said. “It’s a little overture to the community.”
Learn more about the neighbourhood association at gorgetillicum.ca.
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