ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Magic and whimsy ruled the day at Allentown's South Mall for a special "Fairy and Folklore" festival.
Those out to shop were joined by those who came for fairy wings, renaissance vibes, and unique vendors for a unique experience that put a spotlight on a mall otherwise beleaguered by the presence empty commercial lots.
The Blue Flame Events-run festival featured over two dozen vendors that featured trinkets, authors, art, jewelry — and plenty of fairy accessories across the entirety of the mall's main hallway. The event sought to highlight small businesses and craftspeople within the Lehigh Valley region.
Attendees participated in a fairy costume contest that will be put to a public vote on the organization's Facebook page, and a gift card drawing for those who took part in a fairy scavenger hunt.
Renaissance and fantasy style music was also played by a DJ.
"People are really loving the costume contest, they enjoy the music. And we get a very diverse crowd here."Kimberly Stoker
Kimberly Stocker, owner of Blue Flame, says they have been having different vendor events at South Mall for now the second full year. She says the business tries to find unique themes like the fairy festival to get people to attend.
"It's been pretty eventful," Stocker said.
"People are really loving the costume contest, they enjoy the music. And we get a very diverse crowd here."
Many of the vendors noted the crowd the event garnered had a happy attitude to match the whimsical theme.
"It's been a lots of friendly people coming by," said Dean Lapenter of New Jersey's "Dragon Ice Cream", who managed the "Dragon's Whistle Stop" stand of glass-blown whistles shaped like birds, dinosaurs and dragons.
"It's supposed to be about fun for everybody."
Many kids could be seen running around in full fairy gear, arriving with fairy wings and getting fairy makeovers by vendors there.
"There's a lot of different things," said Loren Gehringer, who brought her three kids to the festival and joined her daughter in getting fairy makeup.
"You can see different booths have different creative activities and imagination and you can see it from the kids and the people around here."
The next Blue Flame vendor event at South Mall is the 'Witchtober Market" on October 26, just in time for Halloween.
