Families fill Stearns Park for Fairy Festival

Published 10:35 am Monday, March 27, 2023

By Storme Smith

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(Photo by Storme Smith)

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Whimsical event enjoyed by young and young at heart

COLUMBUS–On Saturday, March 25, Polk County Parks and Recreation held its 2023 Fairy Festival at Stearns Park, where sponsors of the events built tiny fairy houses that were then placed in the trees around the park.

Many of the children and their parents wore fairy wings while enjoying the beautiful spring weather. The Festival had numerous activities spread across the park, including fairy-themed storytime, face painting and scavenger hunts. Food trucks Woodfire Pizza by Pietro and Frozen Frog were on hand to supply pizza and treats for everyone.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for everyone to come out and enjoy Stearns Park and celebrate spring,” said Recreation Coordinator Laura Baird. “We had thirteen wonderful sponsors that jumped in and were able to join in, and we couldn’t be happier with the response from the community and the turnout.”

With perfect spring weather, the event welcomed young and young at heart.

“Laura Baird had the wonderful idea for the Fairy Festival as an opportunity for community organizations and local businesses to promote themselves and support the many improvements Parks and Rec. has made to Stearns Park,” said Recreation Assistant Lourdes Gutierrez. “It turned into a great day for the kids to come to play, and we have several different stations set up for them to enjoy themselves.”

Bambi Morgan, the owner of Cookies by Bambi, sponsored a tree and set it up as a photo booth experience so the kids and parents could take a picture with the fairies. “When I heard they were having a Fairy Festival, I signed right up,” said Morgan. “Not only did it sound like a fun time, but it’s not often you get a chance to do an art project as an adult.”

The event was highlighted by a Fairy Walk, which gave attendees a chance to properly appreciate the artistic work put in by the sponsors in creating their unique fairy houses.

Sponsors who built fairy houses were Conserving Carolina, Steps of HOPE, Polk County Parks and Recreation, Cookies by Bambi, Discover Columbus, Tile Specialties, Cooper Riis, Feagan & Baker Attorneys, Black Rose Forge, FENCE, Lake Lure Yoga, St. Luke’s Hospital and the Rural Seed.