Fairies in the Forest

New this Year: Fairies in the Forest for Summer Solstice!
Location: UNC Charlotte Outdoor Botanical Gardens, Van Landingham Glen Trail
(in case of inclement weather, all stations will be located inside McMillan Greenhouse)
Free and open to the public ($10 donation suggested)
 
Please note: Fairies in the Forest is a walking trail event located along a portion of the Van Landingham Glen (trail maps will be provided!) Access to the glen is via a rather steep gravel path. Please use caution of the trails as the terrain can be uneven and has roots, and rocks and wildlife. We ask that no strollers or dogs be brought onto the trails in order to preserve and protect the plants. 
 
*please read below for parking information and garden policies
 
Friday, June 21, 2019 6 – 9 pm

Have your little ones wear their wings and bring their fairy magic to the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens!  The gardens will be providing magic of it’s own–flowers, forests, fluttery things, sips of fairy nectar, and the longest daylight of the year!  Bring dinner, if desired, to enjoy at one of The Gardens’ picnic tables.  

Come walk the Fairy Trail in the Van Landingham Glen with magical stops along the way! (trail maps will be provided)  Your journey begins at the gate to the Glen with a stop for a sip of “fairy nectar” followed by a chance to peruse the Elfin Emporium to shop for just the perfect wand to guide you on your hike. Later down the trail, pause and make a floral headband craft with some of our expert fairy crafters and then wear it at the next stop – our Sprite Selfie Station to capture the perfect photo of your memorable visit! You also won’t want to miss the Twinkle Tree or the craft station where you will get to make your very own “pet” butterfly. (Every fairy needs a pet butterfly!)

  

We also will welcome special guest Nightshade the Fairy. Your wee fairies will not want to miss a chance to meet her!

Come Shop at our Fairy Store, The Elfin Emporium!

We will have a few items your fairy will not want to be without on their journey through the woodland trail. Handmade floral wands and magical  necklaces will be available. All proceeds benefit the Education Department at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens! Cash only, please.

   

Schedule of Events

Have your Fairy’s photo taken in the Susie Harwood Gardens by professional photographer by Bella Ann Photography (*limited spots available. Sign ups begin at 5 pm – 15 minute shoot for $25 includes one edited digital file).  Cash only, please. Sign up sheet will be at the photo shoot site and is first come first served.

6:30 – 8:00 pm

Listen to fairy tales just beyond the cabin by the stream.

    

8:00 – 9:00 pm   Winged Things: An Insect Adventure
Tuan Cao, PhD, Lecturer, Biological Sciences 

Watch as we catch and release moths and other night flyers using a special magic technique.  Learn about the winged things in The Gardens!

Participants are asked to review The Gardens’ policies:(https://gardens.uncc.edu/visiting-the-gardens/etiquettepolicies/) regarding staying on the paths and not picking flowers or other plant parts. 

Please note: Parking at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens is limited. We have only 5 visitor spaces located at the greenhouse while the rest of the lot is reserved for UNC Charlotte handicap permit holders.

Visitor parking is located at East Deck 1 and the Union Deck. Find these decks on the campus parking map. Both decks are a six-minute walk from the McMillan Greenhouse with parking fees of $5 for the first hour and $2 each additional hour.

Be prepared!

You will want to be ready to spend time outdoors in the evening. Please wear appropriate footwear for trail walking (the gardens are located down a steep gravel path and you will encounter roots and rocks and uneven terrain) and take precautions for all winged things (including mosquitoes!)