Welcome Fairy Stephanie, aka Stephanie Sargent if Goffstown, was on hand to usher her fellow fairies - and princesses and pirates and Harry Potters and knights and ballerinas - to this year's Fairy Tale Fest.
About 4,000 people attended, according to event organizer and "Head Fairy" Denise-Marie McIntosh.
Likely the continuing heat wave was a deterrent to some, but those who braved the heat said it was fantastic and fun.
"We've been coming for three or four years, and it's always a great time, said Shanan Williams, who was there with Cinderella (daughter Hadley, 7) and Harry Potter (son Colin, 9).
"Actually i have the Harry Potter costume in my back pack. He finally said it was just too hot," Williams said.
It was a first go round for Nimmi Meller, there with daughter Shereen, 21-months old, who was fascinated with Mermaid Giovanna.
"It's a beautiful event, and any chance to dress up with the kids is always a good time," said Meller, who was drawn to the event all the way from Lexington, Mass.
McIntosh said Giovanna Roy, of Mermaid Crowns, is a wonderful example of the way fantasy and reality collide at the festival.
"Giovanna has Asperger Syndrome and so she uses her character to raise awareness that, like a mermaid is different and beautiful, so are those with Asperger's, McIntosh said.
This year's theme was "Ocean's of Discovery: The Wave 2013," part of the literacy component of the annual full scale play date, complete with games, prizes, balloons, bubbles, and a book for ever child.
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