In the middle of the dark sea of documentaries is this little film. It is devoid of conflict, corruption, death, and destruction which seems to be the focus of documentary after documentary. Step into the world of fun, happiness, and love; a place where adults can regain the joy of childhood. Fantasy based festivals are spreading throughout the world because they provide something that we are losing in our modern society.

Magic is when fantasy becomes reality, and this happens each year for three days in May on a small farm in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. "Glen Rock Fae" is the story of The Spoutwood Fairie Festival, which is the largest and longest running fairy festival in the world.

Over twenty years ago, Rob and Lucy Wood invited a group of neighbors and friends to their farm to celebrate May Day. By mixing Celtic traditions and fairy lore they created a unique event. Each year it grew larger and more elaborate. Soon it expanded into a three day event in order to accommodate the large number of attendees. People who have experienced the festival call it magical. In many ways there is magic behind the event.

First there is the magic of love. It is almost unheard of for an event of this size to be produced almost entirely by a group of volunteers. They do it because of their love for the Fairie Festival, the farm, and Rob and Lucy Wood. The farm itself seems to be magical. Because it is a real working farm, you do not find the typical amusement park atmosphere, instead the magic of the natural world is visible everywhere, mingled with fanciful decorations. A great example of this can be seen in the nest of a Baltimore Oriole where twigs are mixed with small colorful ribbons that were snatched during the festival. Like this nest, the festival becomes intertwined with the people who have attended it. We discover that this festival of fantasy affects people in real and unexpected ways.

PHOTO BY MARC HUDGINS © 2010

"First there is this funny look, and then: "What the heck is a fairy festival?" That is a typical response I receive when I tell people I'm working on a documentary about the Spoutwood Fairie Festival. When I tell them that it is a place where people wear colorful wings and pointy ears, their funny look turns to a look of real confusion. Of course, there is also the response where the persons' face will light up and they smile from ear to ear, and I know that here is someone who has been to Spoutwood. I have found another of the Glen Rock Fae.

While working on this project, I have been amazed at the love and devotion that Spoutwood Farm has generated in people - people of all ages. Just about everyone I have spoken to says that the festival is the highlight of their year. The festival is produced and run by a mostly volunteer work force. Hundreds of people donate their time and skills in order to present this festival. Their love clearly shines through in the festival. It may be this feeling of love that creates the anticipation in the attendees. Because who doesn't respond to love?

My goal in making this film was to not only give people a taste of the festival, but to go a bit deeper and show the evolution and positive benefits of this phenomena. I believe that besides the fun and spectacle this event provides, there is a purpose for fantasy." - Kevin Spahr