Guidelines for Builders

Builder Guidelines

• Please keep in mind these projects will be observed and possibly interacted with by the public, therefore damage may occur. There is no guarantee on condition of the house after the public event or possible return of the houses. Please consider it a donation to JNC, though you may pick up the home after the event.

• Houses must be transportable from build-site to trail-site.

• Houses may not exceed 3 feet x 3 feet in size.

• Housed may not include dangerous or sharp points or edges, graphic imagery, or profane language.

• House's theme may be anything related to fairies and gnomes. We are creating a wood of simple, elaborate structures with many homes or other related structures for a community, such as a school.

• Only natural materials may be used, and materials that are not treated with chemicals – feathers, dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, milkweed, moss, nuts, pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones. Birch bark that has already fallen off a tree is an excellent building material, too.

• Projects are preferred that use 100% compostable materials. However, if non-compostable materials are used, such as hot glue, acrylic spray, and other man-made items, they must be concealed by natural elements AND the house must be picked up at the end of the event.

• Platforms or man-made support materials can be used for more accessible transport but must be concealed with natural materials when installed on-site.

• Do not use any reproductive materials (such as roots or seeds) from invasive plants that could spread the unwanted invasive plant.

• Do not use any items of value in the houses.

• All creations must have appropriate design and content for enjoyment by all ages, from toddlers to grandparents and more.

• Edible materials (such as nuts or seeds) will attract woodland creatures other than fairies, something to keep in mind.

• JNC is not responsible for any build or home installed along the woodland path or for the public's destruction or removal of any items.

• JNC has sole discretion to determine if a build is inappropriate for the Whimsical Woodlands trail and denies installation due to materials, content, or any other basis.

Notes For Builders

• You must install your fairy/gnome house on the woodland trail on Saturday, April 26, at 10 am and 4 pm. It is first come first serve to fill the available sites along the trail.

• If you cannot install your house during this drop-off time, please contact us to make other arrangements.

• You may return to collect your fairy house exhibit after 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27.

• To identify your house along the trail, please create a sign out of natural materials (i.e., handwriting on birch bark glued to a stick) that lists all the names of the builders in your group, along with any title of the house, if desired. Bring these signs with you and install them near your house.

• As a volunteer, the JNC does not take responsibility for the time and funds put into this project's build.

• All registered builders will be listed in our festival program and receive 2 free tickets to attend the event.