Those visiting Oakhurst Gardens over the weekend exited reality and entered a different realm, one where fairies dwell.
Minnetrista along with Muncie Ballet Studio presented the eighth annual, "A Midsummer Night's Luminaria" during the weekend's evenings.
Over 96 children played the part of fairy dancers with the majority of them between the ages of six and 11.
While the event has traditionally featured only young girls dressed up in fairy costumes complete with wings and wands, the new element of boy dancers was added this year, fire sprites.
Fairy helpers (fairy veterens between the ages of 17 and 18) were on hand to assist young children.
Participants go to a three day fairy camp to learn their own "fairy personality," Muncie Ballet's Lisa Prymek said.
"There are so few opportunities for a child to feel innocent and beautiful anymore," Prymek said. "This helps to celebrate the imagination in our children," Prymek said.
A Midsummer Night Luminaria fairy event is one of four events put on by the Muncie Ballet. Other performances include "The Children's Nutcracker" in December and "A Spring Concert" in March. A student demonstration is performed for family and friends to showcase talents at the end of each dance school season.
The Muncie Ballet is a children's performing arts company and is family-oriented, Prymek said. Everything taught is classical dance in nature.
"This is one of those really wonderful opportunities that grew out of the desire to celebrate Oakhurst Gardens and the children in the community," Prymek said.
While fairies buzzed around under the bright orange harvest moon, the fragrance of sweet floral and lush greens lingered in the air. Fairies could be seen chasing fireflies and playing ring-around-the-rosie.
"This event has moved beyond just performance art to audience participation," Prymek said as little children pranced by dressed in their own fairy costumes.
The sound of live flautists among the gardens was sprinkled with laughter of little fairies in the distance.
"People travel from all over to come to this event," Betty Sollars with Minnetrista said. "Everyone thinks it is so beautiful."
Ten-year-old Mary Cassidy participated in her fifth fairy celebration this year. It was Cassidy's grandmother from Muncie who introduced her into the world of fairies, though Cassidy travels each year from Tennessee to participate.
Cassidy, a graceful, soft-spoken girl with ringlets in her hair sparkled in green, purple and silver ribbons, a costume she had made herself. Clenched in her tiny hand was a willow branch, her magic wand.
"I always liked fairies," Cassidy said. "It's really fun."
Face painting and dessert was available at the fairy cafe. The house where Elisabeth Ball grew up was open to the public as well.
Elisabeth Ball, the daughter of Ball brother George, wrote poetry capsizing her beliefs in the magical world.
"Elisabeth Ball believed in fairies," events coordinator at Minnetrista Emily Denison said. "This is in celebration of her."
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