Manchester fairy garden tour 2022 winners announced

Watch for shiny fairy gardens all over town in the weeks to come. They may turn up in expected — or unexpected — places!

submitted by Manchester Farmers Market

The fairies have landed all over Manchester, and maps are available at Acorn!

Join us in a three-mile tour from the west side to the east side of Manchester, exploring beautifully decorated fairy gardens throughout our village. We welcome all fairy folk, gnomes, and nature gifts. All are welcome to join us in sharing fun treasures like rocks and shells, or even something shiny as the fairies really do enjoy a glistening sparkle or gift of nature.

Have a “fairy” fun time visiting all of the Manchester Fairy Gardens!

The Manchester Fairy Garden Tour 2022 starts at Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café, 455 W Main St, where you’ll find two fairy gardens on display. Pick up your fairy goody bag near the fairy garden pots to take with you on your tour! Then you can continue on to 679 Wald Strasse, 404 W Madison St, and 211 W Main, behind the Gazebo.

Did you know that downtown Manchester has nine fairy doors? Can you find them all? Then continue on to fairy gardens at 201 E Main St (Village Hair Forum—entrance on Adrian St), 316 E Main St, 412 E Main St, 220 Beaufort St, and 120 Torrey St. Be sure to look all around the house, as well as the garage!

Then proceed to … 316 Morgan St, 123 Hibbard St, and 14161 Schwab Rd. Printed maps are available at Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café.

One of our judges thoughtfully wrote up these delightful captions for each of the fairy gardens in our contest. While there are additional fairy gardens on The Manchester Fairy Garden Tour, these were part of the contest:

1. Acorn Market in large stone pot — A wondrous design of a gnome campground inside a stone-looking pot. A “National Forest Campground“ sign points to a stick-made teepee, surrounded by moss and tiny flowers, and a stone pathway. Peek inside the teepee and you’ll see a dark troll-like creature.

2. Acorn Market small terracotta pot — This tiny, whimsical fairy garden built inside a small pot has a stone path lined with colorful mushrooms that leads to a stick-built hut. Moss and tiny flowers adorn the garden, and a small frog rests inside it.

3. 679 Wald Strasse — A fairy and gnome garden lies in an enchanting setting in the woods. You’ll see many little fairies and gnomes camping and living in this rock-bordered land.

4. 404 W Madison St — This outstanding fairy garden design surrounds a large tree and has a sign that says “Teri’s Fairies.” You’ll see stone paths leading up to tiny houses, and there are small barrel pots with individual fairy scenes inside. There are unique painted rocks laid out in the shape of flowers.

5. 201 E Main St — This inviting little patriotic garden has a hand-crafted wood planter with the Statue of Liberty painted on it. Inside you’ll see gnomes, fairies, and other tiny figures.

6. 412 E Main St — This delightful fairy garden wraps around the front porch to the side of the house. You’ll find an old wood box creatively made into a fairy house with fairies and furniture. There are red pots with flowers and many fairies and other miniature figures surrounding them.

7. 220 Beaufort St — An artsy little fairy garden, with bright yellow pots, resting on two stumps. One of the stumps has a fairy door on it. There is a rock border surrounding the garden, and you’ll see a large metal ant, a pot person, and more colorful little pots.

8. 120 Torrey St — Many magical fairy and gnome gardens surround this house and garage, and even spread out on the front porch. You’ll find little rock borders surrounding beautiful flowers and plants with fairy and garden décor.

9. 123 Hibbard St — An exceptional fairy garden land expands across the whole front yard of this house. You’ll see flowers bordering the garden with individual pots and fairy and gnome scenes in the pots. There is a fantastic beach, painted beach houses, and much more.

10. 14161 Schwab Rd — Large rocks and antique wagon wheels are a backdrop to this delightful gnome and fairy garden. You’ll find lots of pretty flowers, tiny houses, and gnome and fairy décor.

As you can tell by these thoughtful descriptions, the judges really had a “fairy” tough time choosing the winners for the Manchester Fairy Garden Contest of 2022!

Some of the judges even went around a second day to take another look to be sure they chose wisely.

Without further ado, the three finalists are …

3rd Place — Madilyn with her fairy garden on display at Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café!

2nd Place — Madeline and Miriel at 14161 Schwab Rd!

1st Place — Nancy and Emily at 679 Wald Strasse!

A huge thank-you to each and every one of our participants. There is something unique and special about every garden. Manchester will be buzzing with fairies this summer!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.