KENNEBUNK — A house made of pine cones, birch tree bark and acorns may not sound like an ideal place to rest one’s feet. But for a faerie, it’s the very definition of perfection.
Brothers Cole and Mason Binette can attest to that.
The Binettes are among dozens of children who have put together their own vision of what a home for the magical creatures might be, and they paid a visit to the Kennebunk Free Library on Wednesday afternoon to share their creation. The library is host to a collection of the imaginative homes, made from all natural materials, and the showcase will be a part of Kennebunk’s May Day celebration, which takes place on Saturday.
Judging of the faerie dwellings will take place Saturday at the library at 9:30 a.m., and each child will receive an award for a certain aspect of his or her design.
The Binettes, who assembled their entry on Monday night, smiled when they recounted all of the materials that went into their creation.
“We used a piece of wood for the table,” said Cole Binette. “We put (in) a stick for the food. We kind of put it together as we went along.”
Youth Services Librarian Bernie Alie said the Faerie Festival, as it is officially called, was started by the Seacoast Garden Club and has been a tradition that predates her tenure at the library. Area children have been putting together reposes for the creatures since at least the early 1990s.
“We’re trying to get the kids appreciative of nature,” said Alie. “I asked that they were made of all natural material.
“The faeries are allergic to plastic,” she said.
Sheila Baber, 11, a student at Kennebunk’s Sea Road School, added a unique twist to her creation: A reading area, complete with books on a variety of different subjects. A self-described book lover, Baber said she wanted to create a place where the faeries could relax and enjoy their tomes, or maybe do a little bird-watching if the mood strikes.
Baber collected most of the materials from trees in her backyard.
“My grandma was afraid they were going to fall on the house,” she said.
Because she was late last year, Baber didn’t get to participate in the 2009 festival. But the lover of fantasy fiction will be eagerly anticipating what award may be given her when the annual tradition, and the rest of the May Day activities around town, kicks off on Saturday.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Baber. “I fell in love with it.”
The 12th annual May Day Festival will begin Saturday and a parade is planned for 1:30 p.m., featuring local Little League teams, antique cars, the Shoe String Puppet Theater and Shriners. In addition to the faerie festival, the Brick Store Museum will allow participants to make their own May basket. May-pole dancing, a rock climbing wall and multiple live bands will also be part of the festival. Visit kennebunkdowntown.com for more information.
— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 319, or at jlagasse@journaltribune.com.
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