Sometimes all it takes is a village to make a child’s dream come true. Even if that dream is to see a magical creature.

So family and friends set out to make sure that Elsie, a 10-year-old from Driffield, England, got her wish.

They put together a unicorn parade, all to make sure that Elsie, who is going blind, finally got her wish of seeing the magical horse. In a heartwarming display of love for the young girl, thousands gathered together at a farm, Sledmere Estate. 

There, they not only celebrated Elsie, they also raised thousands of dollars for CLN3 Batten Disease. The disease is slowly taking over Elsie’s ability to see, as well as her ability to walk and speak.

Elsie holds the ribbon give to the best ‘unicorn’ at the parade. Photos courtesy of Sledmore Estate

Her family, which helped organize the event, were determined to make every moment count for Elsie. Her parents, Phil Smith and Caroline Parrish, launched Elsie’s Appeal, a campaign to create lasting memories and provide the necessary support for their daughter’s care.

The Festival of the Unicorn brought more than 4,500 people to show their support. The inspiration for the festival came from Elsie’s fascination with all things magical and her heartfelt wish to encounter a real unicorn. Natalie Ibbitson-Garvey, from The Tack Shed in Driffield, reached out to the equine community to make Elsie’s dream a reality. The response was overwhelming, with offers pouring in from horse owners eager to participate.

Amidst a sea of vibrant colors, Elsie proudly led a parade of around 130 majestic unicorns with their colorful manes, tails and magnificent horns. She couldn’t contain her excitement, telling everyone:

It has been really good and I am so excited. I think everyone has been so kind, thank you.”

Phil and Caroline, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed their gratitude to everyone involved, including the Sykes family for providing the estate to use for the parade.They thanked the horse farm for helping to bring all the ‘unicorns’ to life, and all the volunteers, bakers, shops, and businesses who contributed their time, resources and prizes.

Pamela Swinton and Jeremy Sykes from Sledmere were tasked with judging the unicorns, a difficult yet happy job. “I am so pleased this event has been so well-attended and such a huge success,” Swinton said. 

Beyond the parade, the festival offered a ton of activities and entertainment, including dance performances and pony displays. Bouncy castles, face painting, and games added to the festive atmosphere, which brought to life Elsie’s dreams. The family, as well as the organizers plan to make this an annual event, which will be in honor of Elsie, and others who suffer from Batten’s.

The unicorn parade was led by Elsie and her family in a carriage. Photo courtesy of Sledmore Estate

The Festival of the Unicorn not only realized Elsie’s magical dream but also exemplified the power of community and compassion.

Seeing the smile on Elsie’s face reminds us that even though her journey will be filled with challenges, she will always have the bit of magic that her friends, family and entire community brought to her. That kindness is its own sort of magic, which is something we could all remember to live by.

For a glimpse of the magical event, watch below.

Sources: BBC | Wolds Weekly