This is the legend of The Star Festival, a holiday held amongst villagers. Mayors and players alike have theorized about this event but have never seen it happen. However over the years, information has been collected about the festival from animals that take part in it.
The town of Nova had always been known for it?s cozy feeling and welcoming atmosphere that explained why it was the home of The Star Festival. It was the one day of the year where animals could see their old friends and gossip about how their lives had been beneath the warm starry August skies. The tradition began many years ago, when one of the first towns was built, Nova. Rumor is that it began back in 2002. Many of the animals that made this such a widely known event no longer lived near Nova, in fact they had moved on to bigger and better things far, far away. The event itself had become known as The Star Festival as it was always held beneath the stars of Nova, a town deep in the forest.
Each year, a train coming from across the bridge would carry dozens of other animals that were all coming to Nova to enjoy the festivities. Even Porter, the monkey who drove the train, was known to be a party animal. Only about 10 animals lived in Nova, while the rest of the animals attending came from over the bridge and through the tunnel. The tradition had begun with just Nova, but as animals moved to other towns news began to spread. More and more villagers showed up every year. Some say it would see over 300 familiar and unfamiliar faces. Everyone had his or her calendars marked for this event and no one missed it for the world, aside from those who had moved to towns that were a long travel. However, some villagers from far away occasionally moved back to enjoy the festivities once again. They always say they miss going to the festival and move closer in order to attend. In fact, Annalise had once lived on an island south of Nova but had moved into town not long after she attended the festival. Cookie and Fang were two animals that were deeply missed in the time they were away. They were a part of the first festival and many following, but had decided together that they wanted to see new things and left Nova. There were rumors that they would return this year for good though. Tortimer, an old turtle who was once the Mayor of Nova, had left for retirement on the island south of Nova, but still came to enjoy the festival. The festival was a time where old faces reappeared, and new faces showed up.
There was much preparation to do for this event though; one of the most difficult was making sure that their Mayor was out of town on this day. Nova?s new mayor wasn?t an animal, and of course the festival was meant for animals only. In prior years, there were humans living in town amongst the animals but were never in town of the days of the festival. It has always been a secret and no one wanted to change that. They had to make sure Redd; a sly fox would set up his shop in town that day too. He always sold fireworks and glow sticks, and sometimes tickets used to redeem prizes. Merengue who lived in a town called Sakura had offered to come and open a dessert stand as well. She was known for her baking, and even her appearance resembled a delectable dessert!
Mabel and Sable always came into town and sold shirts and designs that were ?iconic? as they called them. Gracie, an eccentric giraffe, sometimes joined them and sold the designs that were in her fashion lines. This year, her assistant Labelle was coming with her own line of accessories to sell. The most exciting attendee was KK Slider, who provided the music. He was a famous musician yet he always made time to come to the festival and play some tunes. Overall, the event was a time where every animal came together to make unforgettable memories.
The festival started around 8pm just as the sun set. In the day leading up, the villagers of Nova would string lights across the trees and decorate the town. They would bring out special flowers grown for the event too. They would build signs to help foreign animals get through town. Sometimes they would pool their bells together to get a custom cutout standee. By the time everyone had arrived, the town was glowing and had never looked more beautiful.
As the last train arrived, the town was bustling with animals of all species. There were cats, deer, wolves, frogs? and any animal you could imagine. Isabelle, the Mayor?s assistant was the hostess. She stood near the tree with bells tied to her ears and collar. Shaking her head, the bells began to chime and gathered everyone?s attention.
?Attention everyone! We have a lot of activities planned, but for now everyone can catch up with their friends,? She called out as everyone looked at her. Not long after, the events began. There was a bug-off, a fishing tourney, balloon popping, Hide and Seek, even a maze! The winners were all given prizes to go home with to boast about to their neighbors. It was a night of fun, laughter, and friendship. As the dawn began to close in around 6 am, many animals went home. Goodbyes were sad, but everyone knew they would return next year for even more fun.
What happens during the festival itself is unclear, because it is forbidden to speak of it to anyone that wasn?t an animal. Not much more about the festival in general is known either, because of this reason. It is a tradition that will hopefully last for many years to come though, because it brings joy into all animals? lives every year.