The Vermont Fairy Tale Festival: Where Libraries Become Living Storybooks

What would happen if public libraries could step out from behind their shelves and become living storybooks for a day? That’s the question the Sherburne Memorial Library asked back in 2017, and the answer has grown into one of the state’s most charming community events.

Four costumed girls dressed as princesses for the Vermont Fairy Tale Fesival. — Photo courtesy of the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival.

This is the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival, a magical fall festival celebrating Vermont’s public libraries, and this year, it’s happening on Saturday, September 19, from 10 am to 4 pm. It spreads across six acres behind the Sherburne Memorial Library at 2998 River Road, Killington, VT.

More than a dozen Vermont public libraries each “adopt” a fairy tale or fantasy world and build an interactive booth around it. A full, costumed, hands-on story world. One library becomes the Goblin Market. Another builds a Labyrinth. There’s a Crooked Cottage Apothecary, a Polar Express, a Robin Hood camp, a Dungeons & Dragons setup, and an Alice in Wonderland corner, to name just a handful.

Visitors wander from world to world, collecting crafts and experiences along the way.

The encampment features historical training demonstrations and live steel sword fighting. It’s a crowd favorite, but the organizers gently note it may not suit very young children, and I’ll echo that. If you’ve got a toddler who spooks at loud noises, keep the apothecary or the Enchanted Forest as your backup plan when the swords come out.

You’ll also find aerial acrobat Roxie Fireheart spinning through the air, storyteller Lucy Lockett telling original fairy tales on the roll of a die, and the Green Mountain Turtles rounding out the entertainment. Story Orchard Studio roams the grounds as the festival photographer, so smile when you catch a lens pointed your way.

The Details

A young boy holds up a sparkly blue dinosaur egg at the Vermont Fairytale Festival. — Photo courtesy of the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival.

Admission is free, parking is free, and the festival has stayed that way on purpose since it started. The organizers ask only that you bring a non-perishable item for the local food shelf or the humane society if you’re able. When you enter through the castle, you’ll grab a complimentary ticket for the Enchanted Forest, so don’t skip that step.

There’s free parking on the left side of River Road, in the Library lot, at the Rec Center, and at the Town Garage across the street. One heads-up from the organizers: steer clear of the transfer station gate area.

You’re welcome to pack a picnic, and there’s plenty of space to spread out.

If you’d rather graze, the vendor lineup includes a nice selection of treats. Townline Grill handles the comfort food (their onion rings and smash tots have my name on them), the Sundae Sisters build custom ice cream sundaes, and a Jamaican food truck brings jerk chicken and Caribbean eats.

For the sweet tooth, All Purpose Bakery delivers an award-winning whoopie pie and gluten-free options, and Cottage Cakerie bakes allergy-friendly treats. No alcohol is sold or allowed; this is a coffee-and-cider kind of day.

Costumes are optional, but encouraged.

Is the Vermont Fairy Tale Festival Dog-Friendly?

Yes. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome, as long as they are kept under control. I’d think twice before bringing a reactive pup into a crowd of costumed kids and a live steel sword-fighting demonstration, but for a mellow dog who likes a good crowd and the occasional dropped tater tot, this is a lovely day out.

Notes on Accessibility

The event grounds have no stairs and no uneven terrain, so it’s flat walking throughout. There are two handicapped parking spaces, a handicapped Port-a-let, and golf cart assistance available if you call ahead.

In Support of Vermont Libraries

Vermont libraries are under pressure these days. Budgets are tight, and reading often takes a backseat to online activities. Now more than ever, public libraries need to be recognized for what they are: beloved community spaces for creativity, literacy, imagination, and gathering. Where intergenerational connections are common and cherished.

So, bring the kids and come out for the fairytales and the whoopie pies, and also to support our public libraries, small institutions that hold communities together in so many different ways!