Booze Fairies bringing fun to their doorsteps

“If you have lived in Canyon Lake for any length of time, you know the community loves a good time,” Shawna Bowen said. “Everyone also loves to interact with each other.”

Hence, Booze Fairies was formed.

Canyon Lakers posting pictures of men in fairy wings, women wearing masks or children running up to doors with baskets have been increasingly popular.

Debi Gonzales had this basket of goodies dropped off by a fellow member of the Booze Fairies and these three dig in. They are, from left, Katrina Midkiff, Debi’s husband Ruben Gonzales and Shari Gonzales. Photo provided by Shawna Bowen.

The doorbell rings, but no one is there — or, at best, they’re in a costume speedily walking away. What they leave behind is a basket of goodies, mixers and booze on the doorstep. Sometimes there are snacks or personalized gifts.

Who is behind this new phenomenon? It’s the Canyon Lake Booze Fairies.

Eric Hubbard, husband of Booze Fairies member Amanda Hubbard, grabs a bucket and dresses up for its eventual delivery. Not to be outdone by the Booze Fairies, the men are forming a Booze Bros Facebook group as well. Photos provided by Shawna Bowen.

It all began when Canyon Laker Jayme Williams started the Booze Fairies of Canyon Lake, CA Facebook page in May. It started with a few ladies dropping off baskets to each other. Now there are over 600 Facebook members and the dropping off these baskets has turned into a fun activity of paying it forward by choosing someone random from the group and making their day with a sprinkle of “fairy dust.”

“These are strange times and strange times call for new ways to connect,” Shawna, the group’s list manager, said. “While people might be at home all day or struggling with everything that’s going on, it’s a real great pick-me-up to choose a random person and ‘booze’ them with a shot of something as a treat to brighten their day!”

Cheyenne Sheridan eagerly explores the basket dropped off on her doorstep by an anonymous member of the Booze Fairies group.

Right after the Facebook page was formed, member Tammy Revard created the “official” Booze Fairy image that is used on the page. She offers koozie, bags, shirts and glasses with the image on them for members.

The rules for joining the page are simple. Join the group, make a post about yourself, what you like about Canyon Lake, what you like to drink, your family and most importantly your address. Almost everyone can join who meets these simple requirements. Everyone is screened for age requirements — members must be at least 21 years old — and a resident of Canyon Lake and a female.

Baskets like this are left anonymously on the porches of random members of the Booze Fairies Facebook group.

Then all the names get added to a list. As they are boozed, they are moved off the list. The whole point is to avoid being caught during delivery, which requires great sleuth skills when so many people are home all day. There is no minimum or maximum to spend on the basket to participate.

“We are hoping to get everyone ‘boozed’ once and then restart the list,” Booze Fairies founder Jayme said.

Jayme’s idea was so fun that it inspired the men in Canyon Lake to join in as well. While member Donna Lovejoy was boozing someone, her husband Perry Beggs wanted in on the fun and grabbed a bucket, some beef jerky, beer and other manly essentials and boozed the husband alongside Donna.

“It was great fun,” Donna said, “and we both enjoyed being a part of this.”

The men have started their own Booze Bros page. Entire families have posted videos and photos of children and even husbands prancing away from people’s front doors before the unexpecting recipient opens the door.

During the last two months, there have also been “booze fairy” scavenger hunts, progressive golf cart meet-ups and a shopping afternoon consisting of members of the Booze Fairies.

“We are hoping, when allowed, to have a Booze Fairies vs. Booze Bros afternoon event,” Shawna said. “The event will bring the two groups together with fun, games and, of course, meeting new people.”

Anybody wanting more information or to join the group need only search Booze Fairies of Canyon Lake, CA on Facebook.