Fairy House Tour Scheduled for Portsmouth’s Historic District Fourth Annual Tour to Take Place September 20-21, 2008

PORTSMOUTH, NH (May 12, 2008) – Portsmouth’s annual Fairy House Tour is taking a literary turn this year with its theme of “Houses in Fairy Tales and Literature”.

Sponsored by the Friends of the South End (FOSE), the Fourth Annual Tour is scheduled for September 20 – 21, 2008 in the city’s historic district. The self-guided tour will take visitors on a stroll through Portsmouth’s famous locations including Strawbery Banke, Wentworth-Gardener and Tobias Lear Museum, the Governor John Langdon House and Prescott Park. A favorite in year’s past, families and children will have an opportunity to build their own literary-inspired houses in a Fairy House Village on Peirce Island.

“The two-day annual event raises funds for the benefit of non-profit organizations in the local community, including those featured on the tour,” said Nancy Pollard, president of the Friends of the South End. “Drawing thousands of visitors to the city’s historic sites, last year’s tour raised more than $16,000 for our community partners.”

Portsmouth’s annual Fairy House Tour is the inspiration of Tracy Kane, children’s book author and illustrator of the award-winning Fairy House Series. First introduced on islands of the coast of Maine, fairy houses are part of the New England tradition. Serving as dwellings for fairies, these fanciful structures must be built using only natural materials, while not harming anything that is still growing. Kane, who also produces a video and conducts workshops on building fairy houses, will be on hand to sell and sign books during the tour.

A highlight of the tour is the ‘Artisans Showcase’, featuring Fairy Houses built by local artists and crafts people on exhibit at Sheafe Warehouse. “The literary theme of this year’s tour is bound to inspire artists to create interesting and whimsical fairy abodes,” said Linda McVay, who heads the artisan committee. Anyone wishing to participate in this exhibit is invited to contact Linda at lprebl@comcast.net.

Tickets to the tour include admission to all the historic sites on the route, making it an economical way to visit these important locations. Tickets will go on sale in mid-August at Prescott Park Arts Festival; G. Willikers! Toyshop at 13 Market Street; Strawbery Banke Tyco Visitors Center; Governor John Langdon House; and Wentworth Garden Tobias Lear Museum. Tickets can also be purchased on their websites. Advance prices are: children $4.00; adults $10; seniors $8.00. Day of tour prices are: children $5.00; adults $15.00; seniors $10.00.

For up-to-date information on the Fairy House Tour visit www.fairyhouses.com.

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Media Contacts:

Hilary O'Neil
(603) 373-0488
hiloleg@yahoo.com

Ruth Maron
(603) 431-1536
Rmaron@verizon.net

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About Prescott Park Arts Festival
Established in 1974, the Prescott Park Arts Festival is entering its thirty-forth year of serving the seacoast area and its visitors with inspiring theatre, music, dance, food festivals, and art on 3.5 waterfront acres in vibrant downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Festival has always sought to provide quality family entertainment, promote artistic excellence in the community and consistently present quality presentations of both entertainment and educational events. The Arts Festival has a rich history of successfully presenting a range of arts and cultural events --over 9,000 events to date -- with no fixed admission. For more information, visit www.prescottpark.org or call (603) 436-2848.