Sun Protection - Sun Cream, Parasols, Hats, Umbrellas
Cooling - Water bottles, Fans
A plastic bag to collect food wrappers and general rubbish
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Radios, electronic equipment, noisemakers.
WHAT IS A FANCY?
A Fancy is an idea, a thought, a snippet of wisdom or inspiration, or positive emotion embodied in a small gift to be given to stranger or left for someone to find.
There are many tales of fae folk giving unusual, wondrous or lavish gifts to humans, sometimes in response to a great need, sometimes as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude.
Many faerie gifts disappear a short time after they are given, showing the transience of all things, as well as the fact that an object or thing is not the point of a gift. They were particularly known to disintegrate when the receiver failed to understand the meaning or the spirit of the gift and instead tried to assign a monetary value.
The value in giving is the positive energy that is created. Gift-giving curiously makes both the giver and the receiver feel lifted and energised, even though the giver is theoretically left with nothing. Joy can be manifested, and is most easily harvested when it is shared.
Therefore the strongest and most worthy gift is a gift of thought, of energy.
WHAT COULD I MAKE AS A FANCY?
A Fancy can be anything, as long it has a particular meaning or thought attached to it, and that meaning can be understood by the person receiving the gift.
A Fancy acts as a symbol or talisman, embodying a mood, feeling or idea. It is like an ingredient in a spell.
It can be something nonsensical, like a hen's egg filled with glitter, or it can have a very practical purpose, like a potted flower or herbs. It can be decorative, like a piece of jewellery or a watch, or intellectual, like a poem or inspiring quote.
The value or nature of the object itself is not the point - only the embodied idea has true worth. Thus the giving of a Fancy works best when accompanied with a story or explanation of the Fancy's true nature. If you are feeling a little shy about giving your Fancy to someone you don't know, ask a Gift Bearer to tell the tale of its meaning on your behalf when it is being given.
IDEAS FOR A FANCY
These are just a few ideas. Let your imagination run wild. A Fancy is strongest when it embodies something that has great meaning to you, whether it brings you joy, serenity, clarity, excitement or mischievous glee!
BUBBLES Our Faerie Rade shall be a grand procession surrounded by a magnificent trail of bubbles. To create this spectacle we need LOTS of bubble makers!
Bring large bubble wands, bubble bottles, bubble ropes, or bubble shooters.
Most big bubble blowers can be found at $2 shops. Since they normally are made of fluro plastic, which does not fit the natural faerie aesthetic, you can get creative and disguise your bubble blower by wrapping it up and decorating it with cloth, ribbons, leaves or flowers and colours to reverse-glamour the modern elements.
Some bubble wands may be available to purchase at the event, so bring your coins and keep an eye out for the person with the bag of bubble wands.
BELLS
There are many stories of people who have heard the tinkling and jangling of little bells when a procession of Fae creatures has passed nearby.
Add bells to your costume or bring bells to wear or carry as you walk.
You can adorn a wand or walking staff with bells, or make them into anklets, bracelets, pendants or crowns, or tie them to your hats and bags.
Many music and percussion instrument shops stock 'sleigh bell' wrist bands, short wands and bell strings.