The tooth fairy will come in for a landing at the Sands Point Preserve on May 3. Waving her toothbrush wand, she’ll arrive in time to make her debut at the third annual Fairy Festival.

The famous fairy will be greeted by a glorious gathering of new and returning mermaids, fairies, trolls and gnomes who come to celebrate nature and welcome spring. Some new fairies will offer "expertise" in their areas of specialization. A Magician Fairy will perform magic tricks. Others will host a Fairy Imaginary Tea Party. A circus performer will lead a new activity with 100 hoops. "It gets bigger and better every year," says Linda Nutter, festival director. "The key is to provide all sorts of activities so all children can participate in something that really speaks to them," she explains.

Though it’s not required, many families and groups of adult friends arrive wearing fairy wings or carrying wands. Nutter jokes, "If you ‘re not going to dress up, you have to be in a magical mood." The design-your-own-fairy-house event is back. Register online in advance and create an original fairy house made of items that are part of nature. Bring your house to the preserve on May 1 or May 2 and it will be placed along the Fairy House path as part of the festival.

"The fairy festival grounds invite your imagination to take off," says Elizabeth Abbondondelo, 44 of Albertson, who goes to the fair with her husband, son and daughter every year. "You’ve got nature, whimsy and families coming together. It’s enchanting," she says.

Abbondondelo’s 12-year-old daughter Juliet notes: "The troll under the bridge is really funny and makes a bunch of jokes. The aerialists are so amazing with silks and bubbles, and the music really fits the vibe of the festival." Six-year-old son Charlie adds: "I wear my Robin Hood costume. When I meet the tooth fairy this year, I want to ask how she does it so quick."

Here are new and returning Fairy Festival events from A to Z:

** A **

Aerialists — two new fairy circus acrobats will perform.

** B ** 

Bubble Fairies will assist you near a bubble-making station. Bring your children’s books to the Book Fairies van and donate to those who are less fortunate.

** C **

Create new crafts: make fairy bells and decorate a fairy door.

** D **

Dance around a maypole.

** E **

Enter an exhibit of exceptionally elaborate fairy homes created over many months.

** F **

Fairy Houses — make your own, register online, add your house to the Fairy Path. Face painting will be at the fair too.

** G **

Gnomes will play with you in the "Gnome Sweet Gnome" playground.

** H **

"Hoop Jam" is the name of a new circus act/activity with 100 hoops.

** I **

Irish Folk Bands with fiddlers, a harpist and singers will be scattered about. An Imaginary Fairy Tea Party will be a new event in the woods. 

** J **

Jumbo pickup sticks and tic tac toe are new festival games.

** K **

Keep a wand you create at the fair.

** L **

Lounge on chairs in the new Butterfly Corner. Relax as kids play with butterfly puzzles.

** M **

Meet and  greet mermaids by the pond. Magic tricks will be performed by a fairy.

** N **

Nature walks will be led by Long Island Science Museum staff.

** O **

Old-fashioned games like "Game of Graces" will be featured.

** P **

Plant flowers and herbs. Photo Ops: everything at the fair can be a fun photo.

** Q **

Queen of Sprites, the new fairy festival queen, will meet you.

** R **

Rainbow Positivity Pile — paint a pile of rocks in rainbow colors to create a positive vibe.

** S **

Scavenger hunt.

** T **

The tooth fairy will be in her bedroom instead of yours. Fun photo op.

** U **

Under a bridge, you’ll find new trolls.

** V **

Vendors in the Magical Marketplace will sell fairy-oriented products.

** W **

Wander over to the wishing well with fairies sprinkling fairy dust.

** X **

X marks the spot. You’ll find activities on your map of the festival plus a schedule.

** Y **

Yummy goodies at food trucks.

** Z **

Zip around the entire preserve for the price of admission. The 216-acre park has a magical feel year-round with four ecosystems: a pond, beach, forest and meadow.