An Inclusive Fae Ball
Friday, July 31st, 2026
Salem, CT
6pm-10pm
7+ Performances
Food | Fae | Fun
Dancing | Drums Drag | Market
Join us at the Velvet Jest Fae Ball, July 31st 2026, at the Salem Herbfarm Venue, from 6pm-10pm.
Food, Performances, Gardens, Indoor AC, Fantasy Vendor Market
Attire: Elaborate Fantasy Encouraged but not at all required!
Address: 320 Hartford Rd, Salem, CT 06420
Dancing, Vendors, Photo Hour, Performances, Food, and More!
This event is 18+ and is wheelchair accessible.
Please carpool when you can!
By purchasing a ticket and by attending, you agree to the terms.
Okay, you might ask, but what does this Fantasy Ball ACTUALLY get me? If I’m going to drop money on a ball, I hear you say, it NEEDS to be worth it. I cannot do this on something meager.
Well, my beloved fae friend, I assure you, the 2026 Jest will be OVERFLOWING with absurdity, a whole drum troupe, eight fantasy performances, dragon rider burlesque, and more, including (see below):
THE VELVET JEST LINEUP
Dragon Rider Burlesque by ChocolateNinjaCosplay
Drums, Circus, and Songs by The Providence Drum Troupe
Drag by Samuel Bendix, The South American Vampire
Ethereal Drag King Darren TaShine
Snail Ritual Drag with Ezra Moth
Enemies to Lovers + Lady Knight Saviors by AmandaCosplays, Cam Lewis, and TheGirlBornofFlames.
A ‘Why Choose ?’ Trio Bit by Mason Beiter, Austin K Washington, and Galen Donovan
Mystic Songs by Meera Raphael
Fantasy, Modern, and Shanty Dance Party DJ’d by the CT Renn Faire’s Own Pickle Priest, Benjamin Mager
Included Tarot by Tarot by Juliette
Antics by the Wandering Wizard Bill
Included Photography by Cat Boyce Photography
Included Nacho Bar, Pasta Salad Bar, Snacks, and Desserts
Vendor Market with 15+ Fantasy Vendors
Mead + Mocktail Cash Bar by Dragon Fire Meadery (Two bars this year for speedy lines!)
Donuts + Ice Coffee by purchase with Spotted Donkey Donuts
Three Aces of Manicured Gardens
Quiet Introvert Zone
ASL Interpreter for Performances
Join us for an unforgettable, magical, inclusive, and welcoming night in Salem, CT!
We will sell out! (Thank you!) So please get your tickets in advance!
It’s Back for Round Two! About the Jest:
Join us at the Salem Herbfarm, a magnificent indoor-outdoor garden venue, for a night of fae revelry, and a hearty celebration of fantasy! The Velvet Jest exists to loudly celebrate fantasy that is not as as readily represented: fantasy that is Queer, disabled, Black, Brown, neurodivergent, Indigenous, trans, Asian, and with diverse ages, relationships, and body types. At the Velvet Jest, we are committed to hiring performers, artists, and creators that represent this.
6pm-10pm, 320 Hartford Rd, Salem, CT 06420
Eight Performances Including a Whole
Drum Troupe
Dancing (Modern + Fantasy) DJ’d by the CT Renn Faire Pickle Priest
Diverse Fantasy Vendor Market
Included Portraits in the Gardens!
What to Expect:
• A night to be exactly yourself (and a bit fae)
• Garden hour, to wander the Salem Herbfarm’s magnificent gardens, and enjoy snacks. Wheelchair accessible pathways.
• Have your portrait taken by professional photographers (included!)
•Drag King, Drag Queen, Live Songs, DJ, and a Queer ‘Why Choose?’ Throuple Drama Piece.
• The Presenting of The Swords (see below)
• Best Wings Competition
• Dancing + Fantasy Style DJ (Modern, Sea Shanty, Fantasy Classics)
•Snacks, Pasta Salad Bar, and Desserts Included (Gluten Free + Dairy Free Options for all food)
• Cash Bar, two bartenders
• Curated Diverse Fantasy Vendor Market
• AC Inside
• Tarot Readings
•Quiet Introvert Zone
The Velvet Jest is Ages 18+
Nominate a Friend to be Knighted at the Jest
Nominate your beloveds for recognition for accomplishing, working towards, or enduring something incredible. This does not have to be traditional.
Chosen Knights will be introduced, a snippet of their story will be shared (please make sure your nominee will be okay with this), and will be publicly presented with a sword during the Velvet Jest. The number of knights will be limited to how many swords we can budget, so if your person is not selected, please know that they are still valued!
Examples: A friend who came out, someone who went through a difficult birth, a meaningful business owner, a friend who got a dream job, someone who finally received a diagnosis for a chronic illness, a friend who left an abusive situation, an activist, a friend who accomplished a long project, or someone who was there for you when you needed them.
Nominate an attendee, vendor, or performer HERE.
Bigger + Better (And Wackier)
Join us at the Velvet Jest Fae Ball, July 31st 2026, at the Salem Herbfarm Venue, from 6pm-10pm.
Food, Performances, Gardens, Indoor AC, Fantasy Vendor Market
Attire: Elaborate Fantasy Encouraged but not at all required!
Address: 320 Hartford Rd, Salem, CT 06420
Dancing, Vendors, Photo Hour, Performances, Food, and More!
This event is 18+ and is wheelchair accessible.
Please carpool when you can!
By purchasing a ticket and by attending, you agree to the terms.
Thanks to a generous grant from Audeville Society, we have the ability for extra magic, absurdity, and wonder for the 2026 Velvet Jest! We are bringing in more performers, more accessibility, and more mischief.
By purchasing a ticket and by attending, you agree to the terms.