Fairy Fest returns to downtown Red Wing June 28

Fairy Fest is back. After the inaugural event was a success in 2024, mythical creatures will populate downtown Red Wing for the second time.

Fairy Fest 2025 will be held June 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. The portion of Third Street from the Red Wing Public Library to the crosswalk in front of Mandy’s will be closed to car traffic for the event. Additional activities will be held behind Mandy’s in Jordan Court. 

The Fairy Fest is an opportunity for both children and adults to dress up as whatever magical, mystical creature they would like. 

“It’s not just fairies,” says Downtown Red Wing events coordinator and Fairy Fest planner, Molly Langer, “it’s all whimsical creatures, like gnomes, wizards and anything that’s mythical.”

Those who dress up are free to participate in a costume contest. There will be a stage set up on Third Street where costume contests for four different age groups will be held.

Additionally, the stage will host live music, a magic show, and a hula hoop performance.

Many other free activities will be available including a petting zoo, magic wand making, and fairy door painting. There will also be face painting and food trucks. 

Local businesses will hold their normal business hours, so many will be open during Fairy Fest, and some plan to offer Fairy Fest related activities.

Most notably, Tootsie Too’s will display entries in the Fairy Garden Contest.

The Fairy Gardens will go on display beginning on June 23, and winners of the competition will be announced on stage during Fairy Fest.

“It’s exciting to see all the creativity that flows through each garden entered in the contest,” says Jill Fanslow, owner of Tootsie Too’s.

As Fairy Fest winds down, community partners have planned additional events to keep the magic going through the evening. At 4:45, The Sheldon is hosting a screening of the 1994 animated movie Thumbelina, and at 8 p.m., Otto’s Public House will host A Midsummer Night’s Dance, where patrons can cut a rug in their fantastical costumes.

All events are open to all ages.

In coordination with Fairy Fest, Downtown Main Street is sponsoring the Magic Map of Red Wing. The maps show the buildings around downtown where 21 fairy houses are hidden. Those who wish to take the scavenger hunt can find maps at Tootsie Too’s, Mandy’s, the library, Phileo Style and SWAT.

Completed maps can be delivered to the Magic Mailboxes at Tootsie Too’s or Mandy’s, or submitted over email to fairies@downtownredwing.org. All completed entries will be entered to win a prize.

All told, it will be a fun event for anyone who wishes to participate. “I think it’s just for people to have an excuse to dress up, have a good time, and be magical and fun,” Langer says.

More info on the event and related activities can be found at magicalredwing.com.

This story originally appeared in the Red Wing Republican Eagle.