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5th Annual Fairy Day Celebrates Nature at Daniel Boone Native Gardens on Saturday, July 14th

Sarah Gilley says, “Fairy Gardens include natural twigs and leaves you find throughout the Daniel Boone Native Gardens.” Photo by Diane Hassler.

By Hailey Blevins

Children and families are invited to Daniel Boone Native Gardens on July 14th from noon to 4 p.m. for the 5th Annual Fairy Day. This event is a free learning experience for young children with lots of activities to keep them engaged. Visit the Gardens on Fairy Day to be greeted by a roving fairy. Sarah Gilley described Fairy Day as “an annual event that the Gardens sponsor to encourage children to enjoy nature.”

Activities you can look forward to include: face painting by “Colorful Cheeks,” music by Sarah Borders and Tom Pace, building a fairy garden and learning about butterflies with Dr. Annkatrin Rose. Creating fairy gardens will include finding twigs, leaves and other items throughout Daniel Boone Native Gardens. Activities will also be available for preschool children.

Come and explore the Fern Garden with your child during Fairy Day. Photo by Sarah Gilley.

The Incredible Toy Company will be at the Gardens. Watauga County Public Library will be giving away free children’s books at the Gardens.

Dr. Annkatrin Rose, a botany professor at Appalachian State University, will be teaching children about the life cycle of butterflies as the butterflies emerge from chrysalis as the children watch.

Celebrating their 55th anniversary this summer, the Gardens’ goal is to get kids and everyone else engaged in learning about and engaging with nature. With an average of 100-150 people attending the Fairy Day celebration at the Gardens each year, it’s no wonder why this event “acquaints people with nature right here in your town. It’s kind of like exploring a secret garden within miles of your own home.”

An adult must accompany children as they learn and explore nature at Daniel Boone Native Gardens.