Three Times Fairy = Tradition.
Neither my sister Esther nor I ever thought the fairy-tale thing would hold. Yet the Fairy Trail Walk for Esther goes into its third round today. And has become, with that, a tradition in Newmarket.
Esther knew the Fairy Trail Walk would become real in her name. She was part of the planning, back six years ago. The logo was set, the T-shirts were printed, and my friends here at Specialty Lofts and beyond wore the shirt with pride.
And the Newmarket Public Library was helpfully along for the ride.
That very first Storywalk, in June 2024, was a wet and merry affair. The clouds hung low and somewhat crooked. And they dripped as though rain would be made illegal the next day.
Early in the morning, just before six, I put up the colourful signs along the Tom Taylor Trail so that at least one or two rain-hardened souls might find their way to Fairy Trail Park. By noon the mood was still damp, but the merriment seemed a little overcast. Paul, Melissa, Theresa, and I struggled, with much effort and marginal grace, to put up the tent.
Just before half past one, three young students stood on the wet grass, ready to read the story aloud to any Fairy Trail Walk guests who might come along the fairy-tale march. I already felt for them, because they were probably going to have nothing to do.
The rain let up. The stream of visitors did not. A respectable crowd of thirty guests — children and adults — milled about, waiting eagerly for the start. But first, Tracy from the Newmarket Public Library, Theresa, and I subjected the people to short speeches. Short and painless speeches, naturally. The balloon artist twisted air-filled poodles and other animals to spare the children any boredom brought on by the torrent of words.
Then that wondrous dynamic of opening-night excitement set in. Gears clicked into place, people seemed genuinely happy, and the rain was suddenly forgotten.
As soon as I put a full stop to this morning’s splinter-story, I’ll bring the Fairy Trail Walk for Esther signs up from the basement and mark the route for the third time. And again I feel a little sentimental, because even after five years I miss her: my fairy-tale sister Esther.
That, too, is tradition.
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 1:30 PM — Fairy Trail Park Amphitheatre
