Calling all Fairies (and Pirates and Princesses)

Written by Carol Robidoux, Nashua Patch

With less than a week to go before the city's annual Fairy Tale Festival, the Head Fairy was having a mermaid emergency.

Not to worry, though, the Head Fairy, aka Denise-Marie McIntosh, is well connected. 

"I have two back-up mermaids – in New York and Connecticut –  willing to come in, if I need them, so I am sure it will work out fine. It's the nature of the beast," she says, personifying the city's annual festival in Greeley Park as only a woman who dons fairy wings and a crown, each year, can. 

The Nashua Fairy Tale Festival is an annual event that allows children to spread the wings of their imagination, all thanks to McIntosh's dedication to the event. 

It's  happening Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Greeley Park is located at 100 Concord St. in Nashua.

"For me, it's the one time of year I get to wear a crown and be one of the kids. I look at different things going on all year affecting kids. The Fairy Tale Festival gives me an artistic outlet, and a way to help other people use their imaginations," McIntosh said.

Since taking over the festival six years ago, McIntosh has helped grow the event, from 1,500 visitors to well over 5,000. She approaches it like a seamless three-hour performance, with back-to-back entertainers involving as many community groups and kid-friendly acts and organizations as humanly possible.

Then, she enlists the help of some fairy dust and goes the extra magic mile. Why? Because all children deserve a day of magic and joy and beauty and fun and enlightenment, she says.

Each year McIntosh makes sure every kid gets to take home a book – reading and literacy is the underlying theme of the day, she says. Kids also get to take home arts and crafts and all kinds of freebies because, well, because that's the fairy way.

"Everything on my side of the sidewalk is free – we have 96 fantastic sponsors who are all very generous, so that the event is completely free. And if we can get just a little more more in sponsorships for next year, maybe just $1,000, we could get two buses to bring people from the Exit 6 visitor center because parking is tough, and it's a long walk for little feet," McIntosh said.

That's one of the hazards of her success – the crowds – which she embraces, wholeheartedly. She advises everyone to come early and wear comfortable walking shoes.

"My favorite quote is one by Albert Einstein who said, 'If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.' I do believe that," McIntosh said.

"This is one of those events that creates a remarkable experience for everyone  – when you go there, you feel it, and when leave, every child knows how much everyone loves them. We bond together for that one three-hour period doing something fun, and I make sure everyone who wants to perform, or be part of the festival, has a chance," McIntosh said.

About Nashua Fairy Tale Fest 2013

This year's theme is "Oceans  of Discovery: The Wave of 2013"

Schedule:

9:45 a.m.: Come early to meet a mermaid

10 a.m.: Opening Ceremony Mayor Donnalee  Lozeau

12:45 p.m. The festival concludes with a Fairytale parade.

All Day: Accept your Quest to discover the secrets of the ocean and the wonders of your community. Interesting characters will help you on your way. Show  off your reading skills. Everyone who participates is a winner! Over 40 places to  

explore and discover.

All Day: Fairy Art School; Whale Book Stop; Snow Cones; face painting; 

caricaturist. Dolphin Snack Bar from Triangle  Credit Union, and lots more fun things to do!