Little Owl Fairy House Festival
May 27, 2023 9:30am-4:30pm
900 N Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga 37421
$6 Adult $3 per Child 3+
No cost for members with valid membership ID card
Children under 3 Free
Pre-Sale Family Tickets cover 2 Adults and 2 Children.
Visit Audubon Acres for a day of fun! This low-key event will feature the Little Owl 5K, vendors, and local music. For 2023 we have added a whimsical theme to the event. Home-school students, schools, groups, and individuals can create fairy houses out of natural materials that will be showcased on one of our trails. Event goers will be able to walk through these creative buildings and vote for their favorite fairy house!
Fairy House Material Suppliers
Help us build a collection of supplies for those building Fairy houses the day of the event!
Our Fairy House Building Station is one of our many activities for visitors to enjoy during our festival. Here, folks can grab a bag and choose from all kinds of supplies to make their own fairy house among our trail. We are asking for your help to collect the fairy house supplies.
Some examples of items we accept include small stones/pebbles, acorns, other tree nuts, dried reeds/grasses, small sticks/twigs, seashells, dried flowers, pinecones, small "tree cookies," dried moss, native vines, tree bark, and much more!
Things we please ask that you don't donate; dangerous or invasive plant species like Chinese Privet (we have plenty come get it!), oriental bittersweet, poison ivy vine, stinging nettle, plants with thorns, large items (stumps, logs, bushes), and anything else that could be dangerous, cumbersome, or difficult to break apart.
Items can be dropped off at Audubon Acres any time, 9:30am-4:00pm Monday-Saturday, 1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday.
If you are unable to drop off at these dates and times please email jwhitehorn@chattaudubon.org for arrangements.
Chattanooga Audubon Society (and fairies) thank you for your support!
Our Fairy House Building Station is one of our many activities for visitors to enjoy during our festival. Here, folks can grab a bag and choose from all kinds of supplies to make their own fairy house among our trail. We are asking for your help to collect the fairy house supplies.
Some examples of items we accept include small stones/pebbles, acorns, other tree nuts, dried reeds/grasses, small sticks/twigs, seashells, dried flowers, pinecones, small "tree cookies," dried moss, native vines, tree bark, and much more!
Things we please ask that you don't donate; dangerous or invasive plant species like Chinese Privet (we have plenty come get it!), oriental bittersweet, poison ivy vine, stinging nettle, plants with thorns, large items (stumps, logs, bushes), and anything else that could be dangerous, cumbersome, or difficult to break apart.
Items can be dropped off at Audubon Acres any time, 9:30am-4:00pm Monday-Saturday, 1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday.
If you are unable to drop off at these dates and times please email jwhitehorn@chattaudubon.org for arrangements.
Chattanooga Audubon Society (and fairies) thank you for your support!
Fairy House Builder Sign-up and Guidelines
This event features the creations of individuals, families, and organizations, each one a unique expression and a unique gift to our community.
Although this is the INAUGURAL event, the fairy house trail and village will be created anew each year. Made with natural materials and open to the elements, the stars of our festival are symbols of nature's impermanence and magic. Signup though the button above to create a fairy house.
Builder Guidelines
Houses may be any size and the theme of the house may be anything you wish — we’re creating a village and each year we hope to be delighted by fairy schools, fairy cafes, fairy discos, and simple and elaborate fairy homes.
Please use only natural materials – dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, moss, nuts, pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones. Birch bark is an excellent building material.
All fairy houses must appear to be made entirely of natural components. Hot glue, acrylic spray, natural twine and other man-made items can be used but should be concealed by natural elements.
Platforms or man-made support materials can be used for easier delivery and transport, but must be concealed with natural materials when installed on-site. Avoid using any reproductive materials (such as roots or seed pods) from invasive plant species that could spread the unwanted invasive plant.
Please do not use any items of value in the houses.
Edible materials (such as nuts or seeds) will attract woodland creatures other than fairies, something to keep in mind.
Notes For Builders
Your fairy house structure will be installed by you on Wonderland trail at Audubon Acres between Wednesday May 24 and Friday, May 26, 2023 between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. When you arrive with your exhibit, please check in with our visitor center staff, you are required to find an open site along the Wonderland Trail to install your piece. Your site may be reserved in advance if you would like to walk the trail prior to Wednesday and select your site, sites may be reserved no sooner than Saturday May 20, 2023. On Friday, it is first come first serve to fill the available sites along the trail.
If you are unable to install your fairy house during this drop-off time, please contact us to make other arrangements.
You may return to collect your fairy house exhibit any time after 1:30pm Sunday. All Fairy houses need to be picked up no later than June 3, 2023
Tour-goers like to know who builds which exhibit. In order to identify your exhibit along the Fairy Trail, please be sure to create a sign out of natural materials (i.e. handwriting on birch bark glued to a stick) that lists the name of your group. If you have given your exhibit a specific title, please make a second sign out of natural materials to share this with the viewer. Bring these signs with you and install them near your Fairy House Exhibit. (These signs can be used to reserve your location)
Tour-goers get one vote per family to vote for their favorite fairy display. Fairy House Builders are not eligible to vote for Fairy House displays. We will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize winners. Prizes to be announced. Fairy houses built the day of the event are not eligible for prizes.
This event features the creations of individuals, families, and organizations, each one a unique expression and a unique gift to our community.
Although this is the INAUGURAL event, the fairy house trail and village will be created anew each year. Made with natural materials and open to the elements, the stars of our festival are symbols of nature's impermanence and magic. Signup though the button above to create a fairy house.
Builder Guidelines
Houses may be any size and the theme of the house may be anything you wish — we’re creating a village and each year we hope to be delighted by fairy schools, fairy cafes, fairy discos, and simple and elaborate fairy homes.
Please use only natural materials – dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, moss, nuts, pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones. Birch bark is an excellent building material.
All fairy houses must appear to be made entirely of natural components. Hot glue, acrylic spray, natural twine and other man-made items can be used but should be concealed by natural elements.
Platforms or man-made support materials can be used for easier delivery and transport, but must be concealed with natural materials when installed on-site. Avoid using any reproductive materials (such as roots or seed pods) from invasive plant species that could spread the unwanted invasive plant.
Please do not use any items of value in the houses.
Edible materials (such as nuts or seeds) will attract woodland creatures other than fairies, something to keep in mind.
Notes For Builders
Your fairy house structure will be installed by you on Wonderland trail at Audubon Acres between Wednesday May 24 and Friday, May 26, 2023 between 9:30 AM and 4 PM. When you arrive with your exhibit, please check in with our visitor center staff, you are required to find an open site along the Wonderland Trail to install your piece. Your site may be reserved in advance if you would like to walk the trail prior to Wednesday and select your site, sites may be reserved no sooner than Saturday May 20, 2023. On Friday, it is first come first serve to fill the available sites along the trail.
If you are unable to install your fairy house during this drop-off time, please contact us to make other arrangements.
You may return to collect your fairy house exhibit any time after 1:30pm Sunday. All Fairy houses need to be picked up no later than June 3, 2023
Tour-goers like to know who builds which exhibit. In order to identify your exhibit along the Fairy Trail, please be sure to create a sign out of natural materials (i.e. handwriting on birch bark glued to a stick) that lists the name of your group. If you have given your exhibit a specific title, please make a second sign out of natural materials to share this with the viewer. Bring these signs with you and install them near your Fairy House Exhibit. (These signs can be used to reserve your location)
Tour-goers get one vote per family to vote for their favorite fairy display. Fairy House Builders are not eligible to vote for Fairy House displays. We will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize winners. Prizes to be announced. Fairy houses built the day of the event are not eligible for prizes.
Volunteer
We're looking for volunteers for Audubon Acres' Little Owl Fairy House Festival !
We need parking attendants, kids craft area volunteers, fairy house material collection volunteers, and much more! If you or someone you know would like to assist us, please fill out the form below. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Morning and Afternoon shifts available. All Volunteers receive free attendance to the event.
Volunteers are welcome to dress whimsically in family friendly costumes.
Volunteer opportunities:
Kid craft area - fairy house making
kid craft area - Flower crown making
Kid craft area - WHIMSICAL TWIRLING RIBBONS
Cabin tours
Parking Attendants
Visitor Center - Checking in Participants and assisting with gift shop
Visitor Center - Assisting in Gift Shop, Answering Phones
Drink Station - Assist with selling water/sodas
Runner - Giving water to stations and giving breaks as needed
I'm not able to volunteer the day of but would like to collect materials for fairy house building station
I'm not able to volunteer day of but would like to make Medium to large tree cookies for Fairy house builders
Please fill out the Volunteer form below!
Questions please email jwhitehorn@chattaudubon.org
We need parking attendants, kids craft area volunteers, fairy house material collection volunteers, and much more! If you or someone you know would like to assist us, please fill out the form below. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Morning and Afternoon shifts available. All Volunteers receive free attendance to the event.
Volunteers are welcome to dress whimsically in family friendly costumes.
Volunteer opportunities:
Kid craft area - fairy house making
kid craft area - Flower crown making
Kid craft area - WHIMSICAL TWIRLING RIBBONS
Cabin tours
Parking Attendants
Visitor Center - Checking in Participants and assisting with gift shop
Visitor Center - Assisting in Gift Shop, Answering Phones
Drink Station - Assist with selling water/sodas
Runner - Giving water to stations and giving breaks as needed
I'm not able to volunteer the day of but would like to collect materials for fairy house building station
I'm not able to volunteer day of but would like to make Medium to large tree cookies for Fairy house builders
Please fill out the Volunteer form below!
Questions please email jwhitehorn@chattaudubon.org
The Little Owl Festival is a great venue for artists, crafts people, and vendors of all kinds to showcase and sell their work. Vendor fee is $15 for Arts/Crafts Vendors and $30 for Food Vendors. Vendors get a 10x10 booth space and we provide you with one chair if needed. If you're interested in being an Little Owl Exhibitor, please fill out the form in the button above. We'll be in touch ASAP!
