Ford House Hosts Fairy Tale Festival, Art Exhibit

Rapunzel's hair is hanging over the gatehouse tower. The three little pigs' houses are in the lawn. Cinderella's carriage is awaiting riders. A reading caterpillar is nestled in the grass near a group of chairs for story time.

The scene is set for the 's Fairy Tale Festival Saturday. The festival is part of a longer Fairy Tale Art display open through Sept. 18 with 59 illustrations from classic fairy tale stories or more modern versions.

Offering a wide variety of performances, storytelling and interactive children's activities, the festival intends to highlight the multicultural and dynamic art forms of storytelling, according to a press release. 

The Ford House received a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council to help support the organization's educational focus on cultural enrichment and literacy.

The festival is one day only. Tickets are $12 at the door. It opens at 11 a.m. and continues through 4 p.m. with a variety of events scheduled throughout the grounds of the estate. 

Activities involve the following stories: Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, Alice in Wonderland and Mary and her lambs. Mural painting, storytelling, live music and character encounters are also planned. 

More than 1,200 people are expected Saturday, Ford House Spokeswoman Ann Fitzpatrick said.

Many volunteers are helping with the event, including several teachers and administrators from who will participate in story time.