The third annual Faeries of the Forest Festival is set for July 25 in South Elgin, featuring performances by two sets of identical twin artists. Camille and Kennerly Kitt, known as the Harp Twins, are professional harpists who perform heavy metal and rock music. Dromil and Dromal Volfgang are drummers in the heavy metal genre. These acts will perform at Vasa Park during the daylong event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The festival begins with a sensory-friendly hour before the main activities start at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony. Valerie Notarnicola, the festival board president, explains that the event has evolved from the World of Faeries Festival, which concluded in 2023 after 19 years. In 2024, a group of devoted fans launched this new festival, attracting around 600 attendees in its first year.
“We were running it on hopes and dreams at that point, just hoping it didn’t crash and burn,” said Notarnicola. “Three years later, we are fully staffed with board members and we have at least 20 volunteers for our kids’ classes and on-the-ground volunteers.” Last year’s attendance reached about 900, and the expectation is for even more this year, thanks to the draw of popular acts like the Harp Twins and the Volfgang Twins.
Camille and Kennerly Kitt, with degrees in Harp Performance from Wheaton College, have released 15 albums of metal and rock covers. Their social media following exceeds 2.5 million. The Volfgang Twins, performing with double tribal/Viking drums, released a new album, “Ice Storm,” in 2025.
The Faeries of the Forest Festival prioritizes community involvement, aiming to support local businesses and provide entertainment with a Renaissance fair atmosphere. This year, new features include a Kids Quest introducing new creatures, in partnership with Belegarth, a live-action role-play combat group.
Participants in the Kids Quest engage in activities throughout different courts in the park, culminating in stamping their own leather piece with the festival’s logo. Meanwhile, combatants from the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society will host the Invasion of the Veilwood all-day event.
A variety of food options is available from food trucks and vendors. Attendees can also bring their own food and drinks, except alcohol. Nearby, the Woodland Market will feature 75 vendors selling handcrafted items and art.
Additional festival attractions include a tea party hosted by the Fairy Godmother, who will present storytime, and workshops with crafts. Entertainers like a fire act, body painter, and roaming bard will wander the grounds.
The festival aims to be affordable and accessible for families, with tickets priced at $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5 to 18, and free for children under 5 and seniors over 65. Tickets are available in advance online or at the gate, with free parking included.
“I think people should attend the Faerie of the Forest Festival to connect with the community, to celebrate imagination and creativity, and to just be immersed in the experience of a Renaissance fair that is for families and for people who want to be connected,” Notarnicola expressed.