Written by Denise Gary
Photographs © Denise Gary
The gnomes sat silently awaiting their fate. Their fate, you ask? To suffer the indignity of having their pointy hats ringed by happy, giggling fairies sporting glittery wings.
From the tiniest . . .
. . . to the most cool . . .
. . . they came to ring the gnomes and toss bean bags!
This was KNTR’s second year at Fireland Phoenix Faerie Festival, where we hosted fairy games for kids provided by the festival.
Of course, we had our KNTR backpacks; books; Highlights, Highlights High Five, Cricket, and Cicada magazines; and other goodies to give away to the young festival goers.
The kids tossed rings.
They tossed bean bags.
When they were successful, they squealed!
They jumped up and down with joy!
They gave high fives!
When they were through playing, the children were allowed to pick out a book (provided by author Jeanne McNaney, Barnes & Noble Chandler, and Actionopolis).
They also were given a magazine for extra fun (provided by Highlights for Children and Carus Publishing).
Each player was given a Kids Need to Read backback (sponsored by Bookmans) to stash away their prizes.
We gained a young helper over the weekend.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear, Arizona was the location of the realm. Above the faerie woods, the mountains glowed golden in the Arizona sunset.
Many thanks to Rowan Wakefield and Fireland Phoenix Faerie Festival for giving Kids Need to Read such a fun opportunity to share some reading love with local children and adolescents! We miss the gnomes!
Photo Gallery: Fireland Phoenix Faerie Festival 2011
Related Blog: Fanciful Fairy Tales from Phoenix Faerie Festival 2010
