In 2008, five days of Walt Disney World business classes inspired Donna Flanagin to follow the Imagineer mantra of “dream, believe, dare, do,” and create a legacy that would enchant the Valparaiso community for many years to come.
Two years prior in 2006, Flanagin and Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service debuted in Valparaiso’s annual Popcorn Parade alongside her husband’s antique red truck. After her magical Disney experience, however, Flanagin decided she wanted to bring something to the 2008 run that had just a bit more sparkle.
It was at this moment that the Flanagin Fairies were born.
“This was in May when I took the classes,” Flanagin said. “The Popcorn Parade hadn't happened yet and I thought, ‘Oh, we could do something in the parade.’ My two daughters work for me, and they're both familiar with Disney, so I said, ‘We're never going to work for Disney, but maybe we can bring some of that here.’ We brainstormed, and we came up with the Flanagin Fairies.”
Just like Cinderella became a princess dressed for the ball, the Flanagin Fairies were people Flanagin knew in her everyday life transformed into characters through elaborate costumes covered in glitter from head to toe. While Disney was certainly the inspiration for the group, each fairy is a unique character with her own name, personality, and outfit made by Flanagin herself. The fairy matriarch had even donned herself as the Fairy Gladmother with her blue cloak and her fellow fairies in tow.
At this time, the Flanagin Fairies was just a group of four – Flanagin, her two daughters, and a saleswoman at Flanagin’s Bulk Mail. Though a small bunch, none of them had any clue just how large a spell they would soon cast that would capture the hearts of Valparaiso at their first Popcorn Parade.
That day the Flanagin Fairies became a household name for the Popcorn Festival. Everyone, especially children, was enthralled by the Flanagin Fairies and would jump at any opportunity for a picture or to grab a hug from their winged friends. At the start of it all, Flanagin was a bit hesitant as to how this would all play out, but now, the evidence is clear – the Flanagin Fairies are here to stay.
“When we walked to meet the float, we saw a lot of people making comments like ‘Wow!’ and ‘Oh my gosh, it's so pretty!’ The kids, of course, were enchanted by it. After the parade, we took a little bit of a rest before we went to the festival, and we entered between that little alleyway on the side of Pikk's Tavern,” Flanagin said. “Once we got out there, we didn’t move – people just came to us and lined up. Kids and parents wanted a picture with every fairy so they could have all of the postcards. It went astonishingly well.”
After that monumental day, the Flanagin Fairies could be found fluttering out and about in the Valpo community, attending a few events outside of Popcorn festivities. While they enjoyed the additional gatherings, it was Popcorn where their magic truly sparkled, so the fairies made the choice to become a Popcorn exclusive after some time. To this very day, the group can always be found at the Popcorn Parade, illuminating the hearts of children and their families as they walk by handing out trinkets with a smile as bright as the glitter on their costumes.
A Flanagin Fairy is not complete without her costume, and Flanagin herself is the mastermind behind each and every one. Though she was always a creative individual, making costumes was a new challenge for Flanagin. She had to learn how to design each costume to fit fairies of all shapes and sizes, including adding or letting out fabric so the dress fit just right, and designing wings that could have parts snap on and off to be worn by fairies of all styles over the years.
The float is also a staple for the fairies, made complete with Flanagin’s granddaughter riding as Cinderella on top. They have always been built by her daughter Erica, who has incredible imagineering and construction skills. She also said they could not make this happen without the complete support of her husband Doug and daughter Monica. Flanagin admits she can typically be found at thrift stores and craft shops looking for the most unique decorations to create floats as if they came right out of a storybook page. In the early years, that red pickup truck was made into a bedazzling ride that was with them for some time. Later, the truck would be swapped for a carriage, which would be decorated in style with the themes of each year’s parade including a Christmas design, a Barbie makeover, and many more. In 2024, the float is expected to receive another makeover that will have the parade’s crowd looking on in awe.
The Flanagin Fairies have established a sparkling legacy both in Northwest Indiana and throughout the country. This became especially evident to Flanagin when she received a voicemail out of the blue one day in 2016 inviting her to be interviewed by authors Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson of the book “The Disney Way.” A new edition was in the works, and the couple was interested in talking with Flanagin to potentially be in the next version.
“I asked how they found me, and she said ‘We just Googled ‘Dream, believe, dare, do,’” Flanagin said. “I had been blogging, and one of the titles of my blogs was ‘Dream, believe, dare, do.’ Long story short, I did the interview and they flat out said ‘We don't know if you'd be in the book because it's not our decision, It's the decision of the publisher.’ It was a long time, but they later let me know that we were in the book.”
While the success of the fairies has made Flanagin’s heart flutter, nothing can compare to the sheer joy she sees on the children’s faces each year when the Flanagin Fairies make their annual return. It’s the children and community who make it all worth it, and nearly brings Flanagan to tears just thinking about how much the fairies have been able to help add an extra sparkle to people’s days.
“We had done an event and we were all driving in the same car. We're completely dressed up because you have to take a long time to get ready, and we needed gas. I had to stop at a gas station, and one of the fairies is out there pumping gas,” Flanagin said. “A lady was also there, who ran over and said ‘Could you come over to our car and say hi to our son?’ Of course, if we're in costume we’ll always go interact, so we said yes. The lady then said ‘We just came from the cemetery; his little sister passed away, and I think this would make him smile.’ We went over to the car and he was a young boy. He was really excited and she thanked us for helping make his day because he was still too young to fully understand everything that was going on with his sister, but seeing the fairies just made his day. We just have so many stories like this.”
22 Flanagin Fairies are expected to appear in the 2024 Popcorn Parade on Saturday, September 7, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of some Valparaiso magic! The group is excited about what’s in store and is already bustling with the excitement of preparing for a glamorous return.
To learn more about Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service, please visit mybulkmail.com.
