Day one of fantasy festival draws thousands to Lebanon Valley Mall

The Forged Fantasy Faerie Festival drew crowds to the Lebanon Valley Mall on Saturday, the first day of a two-day event.

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“We’re really happy to be able to invite the community out for the Faerie Fest,” said event organizer and Drunken Smithy co-owner Eitri Jones. “It’s really fun to be able to bring the community together and have so many people share their gifts and talents.”

Event organizer and Drunken Smithy co-owner Greg Ramsey estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees attended Saturday, though he did not have an exact count as the event is free admission. Ramsey said attendance was up from last year’s festival, which he estimated had 1,500 to 2,000 attendees on day one.

The festival includes over 40 vendors with a range of products and services, live music and events, and costumed actors.

“If everybody that I have brought in and all of my employees are having a wonderful time, I’d say that it’s a success,” said Ramsey, noting that he saw smiles in every direction. “It’s a bonus if people are buying the goods that we’ve made, and the mead we’ve made.”

Ramsey said other events are in store for the mall’s future, including a Halloween-themed festival in early October and a Yule festival in December. The Drunken Smithy’s Mead Hall also has live music every Friday and Saturday.

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These events, Ramsey explained, are meant both to create a vibrant community space and let members of the public know the types of businesses and attractions that are located in the mall.

“I’m trying to help the mall find people who are artisans and craftsmen so they’re sharing an experience,” said Ramsey. “Nobody wants to go to the mall to buy things — you can go online and buy things — the way you get people to visit you is by giving them an experience.”

The Adventurer’s Hollow Gaming Tavern is one such experience-based attraction, which is open as a preview this weekend.

The plant-based eatery is planned for a grand opening the second or third week of May, explained owner Az Cordelia. However, the storefront — stocked with board games, D&D supplies, and numerous tables — will be open without food for the next few weekends.

Cordelia explained that the business is meant to be a community hub, with different nights scheduled for different organized games, as well as free play. The tavern will create fantasy mocktails and handmade sodas, plus food without eight of the nine top allergens.

By having a variety of businesses with a variety of products and services, Cordelia explained, no one is left out of the mall’s community.

“We businesses all need to work together because we’re all providing a service to the community,” said Cordelia. “We’re trying to make it accessible to everyone, and we want to elevate the experience, because life is hard and sometimes you just want to go and have the fantasy experience.”

Hannah Kienzle of the Moth Pixie, one of over 40 vendors set up this weekend, said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the event.

“It’s been really cool to see everyone dressed up, I love all the fairies,” said Kienzle, who sells ethically sourced preserved butterflies. “Everybody’s been really sweet.”

With attendees and vendors showcasing a variety of costumes and interests, Ramsey emphasized that the festival — and the mall — is open to all.

“All creeds, all different types of people, are welcome, and we want community,” he said. “That’s very important to us, that everybody’s welcome.”

Sunday, the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.