SONORA — The Fantasy Faire Oct. 20-21 at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds is deeply rooted in the All Hallow beliefs of the Celtic people, but combined with all the fun and excitement of a modern Halloween.

Hundreds of visiting creatures and characters from your favorite fairy tales and Hollywood movies will come to life over this fun-filled family weekend. The faire offers many exciting venues to hear live music, enjoy themed food and drink, buy unique items, and marvel at jugglers and magicians. Wear your new or old costume and get into the fun and thrills of the faire!

Poor Man’s Poison will be headlining the bill. This hard driving, up beat folk-Americana band write most of all their songs, and have gained national attention. Sonora’s own Black Irish Band will be making an appearance at the faire to celebrate the release of their 23rd album titled- “Dark Ocean” (Songs of Pirates). Sacramento’s Black Eyed Dempseys will be bringing their heavy hitting, (Flogging Molly style), Celtic/Rock sounds to the main stage, and pulling everyone to the dance floor in the process. Other bands include: Blues Box Bayou Band, Almost Home, Land of the Blind, and, Halloween crazies, The Hobo Goblins.

So much to see and do for the entire family with day-long activities to enjoy and take part in, such as: the Cozy N Mez Hypnotist Show, ghost stories by Carpathian, Zombieland Graveyard, the Medieval Midway (Games of skill for kids), The 13 Chambers of Horror, Witches Row, Fairyland, the Pumpkin Patch, and the world famous, Professor Algernon, Steampunk Illusionist. Don’t’ miss trick-or-treating with the vendors and encampments for the kids and All NEW kids costume contest. The faire also offers a fire-breathing dragon and a large Saturday evening costume contest ball and fire show.

The centerpiece for the faire is the Village Marketplace. You will find there many interesting streets and a town center where many activities take place. Highlights of the village include over 40 vendors & craftsmen showcasing their work. Many items are of the Euro/Celtic design and are based in history. A Food Court with many varieties of traditional and modern food will also be available in the village. The village will also offer the Slaughtered Lamb Tavern featuring ales, beers, and frightful adult beverages.

Warrior Encampments will again be featured at this year’s faire. Based on ancient warrior cultures of Europe, the faire will present the Dark Boar Vikings and Gaesatae (Iron Age Celts). Venture into a time where Gods and Deities ruled the lands with epic battles. Throughout the day, hundreds of strange creatures will also be visiting the faire. Some will be alive, and, others, not so much. Many will be fantasy characters from your childhood dreams, but some will be from your childhood nightmares! Creatures include: dragons, Minotaur, ghost pirates, skeletons, witches, furry animals, vampires, and lots of zombies.

Featured venues this year will showcase The Haunted Royal Court including Snow White & the Huntsman, and action characters from the motion picture Star Wars.

The dead can and will dance both days of the faire. Featured groups include the famous Adamantine Zombie Dancers. Adamantine will dance themselves into frenzy as they follow the beat of their own seven-foot Witch Doctor. The traditional belly-dance group, SolLuna, will also be getting into the spirit of the event by dressing up in their faces of the dead. The group Danse Macabre will be on parade throughout the weekend performing their own brand of “Dance of the Dead”. The ever-famous Eclectic Caravan Gypsy Voodoo Tribe & Burning Sky Musicians will combine both music and dance to their high-energy show that will entrance you into the spirit realm.