Creativity takes flight, and magic fills the air as the Yampa River Botanic Park invites local youth to celebrate nature and get imaginative by creating a house of dreams for the park’s tiniest inhabitants during the Fairy Garden House Contest.
“Where imagination takes root, tiny worlds come to life, and we are so excited to see the creativity on display in this year’s Fairy Garden House Contest,” said Executive Director Jennifer McNeil. “Fairy houses celebrate the special connection between nature and imagination, and we hope each one inspires visitors to explore, create, and discover a little magic every time they visit the park.”
The annual contest is open to children of all ages, but one builder must be under 12 years of age. Designs must be no larger than 18x18 inches square, and 12 inches high. All fairy-inspired homes need to be made of natural materials, such as wood, stone and sand, and cannot use plastic, hot glue or pixie dust. Most themes are welcome, but no religious or political themes.
Entries are due at the Trillium House no later than 3pm on June 10, 2026. Judging will take place at 11:30am on Friday, June 12, in the Children’s Garden, immediately following Stories in the Garden. Winners will receive an annual membership to the Yampa River Botanic Park and other special prizes. All submissions will be featured in the park’s Fairy Garden Village throughout the summer.
Once a sprawling horse pasture, the six-acre Yampa River Botanic Park is now home to more than 60 unique gardens, thousands of plant species, animals, and hosts special events of all shapes and sizes. An innovative experiment in private/public partnerships, the park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk, through October.
For more information visit www.yrbp.org, or contact the Yampa River Botanic Park at 970-846-5172 or via email at yampariverbotanicpark@gmail.com.
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Contact
Email Jennifer MacNeil, Executive Director, Yampa River Botanic Park, 970-846-5172
Email Julia Schiemann, Visitor Services Coordinator, 970-846-5172
Email Emily Hines, Marketing & Communications Supervisor, 970-871-7031