A world of wonder is coming to Eriksdale this June.
On Saturday, June 7, the Shadows and Starlight Fantasy Market, LARP, and Fantasy Ball will take over the Eriksdale Recreation Centre. The magical event will feature a vendor market full of fantasy wares, live-action role play (LARP) demonstrations, and “an evening of dancing and merriment.”
Erika Lindell is working with the RogerKimLee Music Festival board to host the Shadows and Starlight Fantasy Market, LARP, and Fantasy Ball in town, and she’s hoping this year’s event is the first of many. The RogerKimLee Music Festival board is trying to bring more people to Eriksdale and attract all kinds of people, and this event is one way they’re doing that.
“We’re creating an environment for adults to live out a little bit of that geeky fantasy we had as kids,” she said. “And showing just because you grew up doesn’t mean you have to stop dressing up.”
The day will start at 10 a.m. with the fantasy market and LARP demonstrations, which will go on until 4 p.m. when the recreation centre will close for just four hours to be transformed into a fantasy ball. Lindell said vendors at the market will all offer goods with a fantasy element — like crystals, card reading, tarot, dice markers, and more.
While people shop, the LARP demonstrations will be happening in a corner of the centre to show people what the activity is all about. The demonstrations will be held by Misthaven Underworld LARP, a dark fantasy group that takes inspiration from shows like The Witcher, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones. Tickets for the market and LARP demonstrations will be $5 at the door and free for those under 18.
The recreation centre will open at 8 p.m. for the ball, which will give attendees the opportunity to dress up, learn a dance, partake in a silent auction, enjoy food and drinks, and be together.
The fantasy ball is an all-ages event, and tickets will cost $45 for adults and $15 for children. Once on sale, it’s recommended that people buy tickets in advance.
“It’ll be a night full of dance and costumes and mystery and magic,” said Lindell.
She loves to dress up, often doing cosplay but not LARP, though she is interested in it. Lindell said she’s looking forward to the demonstrations so she can learn more about LARP and ask her questions about it.
“If you’re interested in the fantastical, if there’s that little bit of spark left in you, or that little bit of mystery where you’re wondering what it’s all about, I think it’d be a really good thing to go to,” said Lindell. “Getting back to that child inside of us is a really important thing.”
