Story and Photos by Matt DeBow
Faerieworlds Summer Celebration alighted in Eugene this weekend with all of its annual magic. The festival, held from July 30 through August 1, draws all sorts of winged creatures, including faeries both good and bad. Ethos ventured into the flurry to interview some of the “bad” faeries about their time darting among the Springfield hills. See what the good faeries had to say for themselves.
Michelle Verheyden
Faerie Experience: Two years
Faerie name: Ouroboris
Attraction to Faerieworlds: The spirit of freedom.
Costume: Self-made and includes a six-year-old red-tail boa constrictor.
Characteristics of a Bad Faerie: Venom.
Tina Litton
Faerie Experience: First year
Faerie Name: Tina the Terrible
Characteristics of a Bad Faerie: A bad faerie never does anything right. Everything is always backwards and it’s all about me. I’m the best, fastest and smartest. I’m what every faerie wants to be.
Susan Tooker
Faerie Experience: Two years
Faerie Name: I’m waiting to be named. I was the “Dark Faerie” last year. I don’t usually name my characters because my costume is so elaborate that people will name me.
Attraction to Faerieworlds: This is right up my alley. I make costumes for a living as a seamstress and growing up my favorite movies were Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.
Costume: It’s all self-made. I used real turkey feathers for the wings and traditional make-up for the face.
Characteristics of a Bad Faerie: Bad faeries don’t think they’re bad. They’re just tricksters. They like to stir things up. Personally, I don’t think I’m a bad faerie. I’m just embracing the shadow side. In my normal life I’m a very cheerful and happy person. Doing this is just a release. I love the reactions of people who stop in their tracks.
Amid all the faeries, both good and bad, a fair-goer shouts, “The goblin revolution continues.” James Maccines, covered in green make-up with fake teeth protruding, roams Faireworlds with his wife who is also dressed as goblin and carries a sack filled with baby dolls.
James Macinnes
Goblin Experience: One year
Attraction to Faerieworlds: I am really into role-playing and fantasy. I have had more fun in two days than I could have in a month.
How do you feel about the good faeries?: The good faeries try to do good and it is good PR, but today is our day!
See more examples of forest glen glamour in the Summer 2010 article Fashionista Faeries.
