Once Upon a Time fans flock to 'Storybrooke,' in Steveston, B.C.

For the fourth year in a row, the normally sleeping fishing village of Steveston, B.C. is being transformed into the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine, drawing hundreds of fans of the ABC television show Once Upon ATime.

The fairytale drama's cast of characters includes many familiar faces, including Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, Rumpelstiltskin and Frozen's Elsa, all transported to a "real town" and robbed of their memories of their fairytale pasts by an evil curse.

Tourism Richmond spokesperson Ed Gavsie says fans of the show, known as "Oncers," come from around the world armed with cameras and autograph books trying to get a closer look at their favourite stars.

"We track the main reason why people come to Steveston, Clearly 15 to 20 per cent say Once Upon a Time. That has gone up every year of the show."

As the CBC's Richard Zussman reports, local businesses are also now cashing in on the show's popularity.

Once upon a time in Steveston

10 years ago

Duration 2:14

Fans of the TV show Once Upon a Time flock to Steveston, B.C., to see the real Storybrooke