By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Legend has it that if you build a fairy home and leave it in your garden, you just might attract a fairy into your domain.
If you have neither the time nor the talent to build your own Fairy home, see the spectacular work of others at the Grand Rapids Symphony’s “Blandford Enchanted” at Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids.
Some 35 fairy houses created by West Michigan artists will be on display indoors Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4, in Blandford Nature Center’s new Mary Jane Dockeray Welcome Center.
Much more can be seen throughout the grounds wildlife and nature preserve located at 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, in Grand Rapids.
Outdoor displays, a special Fairy Boutique, live entertainment and more will be part of the three-day event organized by Grand Rapids Symphony Friends, formerly known as the Grand Rapids Symphony Women’s Committee.
Do-it-yourself Fairy Door decorating and build-it-yourself Fairy House making kits will be available. Organizers spent months gathering materials for Fairy House starter kits with all-natural materials.
A special Lantern Walk through the forest, complete with live music, will be held the evening of Saturday, June 3 among the grounds of the 143-acre preserve.
A preview party, “One Enchanted Evening,” will be held Thursday, June 1, at the nature preserve on the northwest side of Grand Rapids.
“Blandford Enchanted” will feature dozens of meticulously hand-crafted fairy houses, none more than 3-foot high, created by local artists. The community-wide project included help from students at Aquinas College and installation and technical assistance from Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Adults and children alike will delight in the tiny details that make these dwellings so unique.
“It’s going to be absolutely enchanting,” said organizer Liz Schultz. “People won’t forget it.”
Hours for “Blandford Enchanted” are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4. Admission is $10 adults, $5 children.
The Lantern Walk will be 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 3. Tickets for the Lantern Walk are $15 for all ages.
A preview party, “One Enchanted Evening,” will be held 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1.
Along with a sneak-peak preview of the exhibition, the evening includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; music from the Celtic ensemble An Dro; and the premiere of a new ballet, set to the music of Maurice Ravel, featuring dancers from Grand Rapids Ballet and musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Tickets for “One Enchanted Evening” are $75. Tickets include entertainment, food and a signature drink.
Buy tickets online for all activities here.
“Blandford Enchanted” is a fund raiser held to support the Grand Rapids Symphony’s educational programs.
“The focus is the Grand Rapids Symphony and its educational programs. That’s what’s important,” Schultz said. “The magic is what the symphony brings to our community.”
A similar event, Brookby Enchanted, held two years ago at the historic Blodgett Estate in East Grand Rapids was an enchanting success that engaged young families with the creative community of Grand Rapids.
“Brookby was really good,” Schultz said. “But this is going to be even better.”
