Love in the Air: The First Annual 'Falling for You' East Falls Festival

February 15, 1984

It’s February 15th in East Falls which means the holiday of love and desires has fallen upon us even a day after the day of love, Valentines day. 

Valentine’s Day, also called St. Valentine’s Day, holiday (February 14) when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts. Given their similarities, it has been suggested that the holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I forbade the celebration of Lupercalia and is sometimes attributed with replacing it with St. Valentine’s Day, but the true origin of the holiday is vague at best. 

Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. Nowadays, the religion factor is far gone nor is the history of the holiday celebrated, but rather the modern tradition worldwide of celebrating those you love.. Even if not lovers, some even take it as a chance to celebrate those they love family wise instead.

In a new tradition, we have a local Valentine's festival

East Falls was buzzing with excitement as the town celebrated its first annual 'Falling for You' Valentine's Festival, an event brought to life by none other than the charismatic person in front of La Venere Di Mare. The festival was an undeniable success, marking the beginning of what we may hope will become a cherished tradition.. Maybe they will pull out more town events for people to go to personally?

A Day of Love and Laughter

The food stall offered pizzas topped with heart-shaped pepperoni to share with someone else, decadent cupcakes swirled with pink frosting, and an impressive selection of fine wines to toast to love and friendship.

The festival featured an array of charming gifts for purchase, each perfectly suited to the holiday’s romantic spirit. Attendees could be seen donning heart-shaped glasses and playful heart headbands, while others carried bouquets of fresh flowers or nibbled on chocolates wrapped in red satin bows.

From Speed Dating to a test to see how compatible you and your partner/friend was, it had different things for you to do while you were eating, sitting, getting to know others in a friendly or romantic way!

Personally, my favourite attraction was the teddy bear at the Speed Dating Area, it was just squishy and adorable. How could one not?

Wishes, Whispers, and... Rejection?

Besides a festival.. There was a second main attraction, it was the Wishing Well, it randomly appeared within a path to the Shady Pines, it's rumored to grant the deepest desires of those who tossed a coin while making a heartfelt wish. 

Judah Smith, a clinic worker in East Falls, made his wish for the approval of a new clinic building. However, as the shiny coin slipped from his fingers and spiraled into the well, it was abruptly launched back out, striking him squarely on the forehead. The first 'Rejectee' from the well that got attitude back physically, what a shame...

Despite—or perhaps because of the unexpected events at the Wishing Well, with someone getting struck by lightning by their wish of harming someone.. In Jealousy of wanting someone's affection.. The well remains questionable at most, will it grant wishes that bring others or the town back?

East Falls now eagerly awaits this year’s festivities, with many already wondering what wishes and surprises the Wishing Well will grant (or deny) next.

Maybe now East Falls will finally have more spots for romantic moments between partners?

[OOC: THANK YOU VCRIM FOR THE SCREENSHOTS OF THE FESTIVAL AS A WHOLE]