Fairy village sprinkles magic onto Bozeman trails

Deep in a wooded trail in the Glen Lake Rotary Park, a village appeared seemingly overnight. It was packed with structures that varied in color, shape and function, but not in size. Here, visitors from the Gallatin Valley were invited to explore a village unlike any other — one not created for human beings. 

The Bumblewood Thicket Fairy Village was established in September 2020 by Random Acts of Silliness, an organization that hosts various art events throughout the Gallatin Valley. This year, Bumblewood was open from Sept. 5 through Sept. 21, and showcased 20 meticulously crafted, fairy-inspired miniatures. 

Danielle Thomsen, the executive enchantment director for Random Acts of Silliness and one of the founders of the fairy village, said she thought of the idea during the pandemic. 

“We thought things are pretty dark right now, and we need lightness. The fact is, we need that kind of joy and art in our lives all the time,” Thomsen said. 

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) also helps put on the annual event. Chet Work, the executive director of the GVLT, said the goal of the trust is to foster a community through the conservation of open space and the maintenance of trails. 

“We recognize that these trails bring people together,” Work said. “And the ingenuity here has brought some more members of our community to the trails.”

Bumblewood tends to attract more than just fairies. Last year’s event brought in over 19,000 human attendees, Thomsen said. She attributed this growth to the magical environment they’ve created within the village. 

“People are hungrier than ever for things that fill them with joy and make them feel good and help them feel connected to their community,” Thomsen said. “Experiences that are in real life and in nature and not digital are so important.”

Cassie Hutchins and her daughter, Vivian Eddy, visited Bumblewood for the second time this year. They were particularly drawn to the Moonflower Cottage, the abode of two fictional fairies, Granny Liora and Grandpa Duck. 

This particular cottage features a pebble-lined fireplace and matching rocking chairs constructed from twigs, where Liora and Duck spend much of their time. “It just makes me feel so cozy and warm,” Eddy said. 

Another featured structure was the Timber Tunes Bandstand, a music venue where visiting fairies can listen to some of their favorite artists, including the house band, The Pixie Sticks. The fairy music venue was created by Julia Funderburk, an MSU freshman studying pre-medicine and studio arts. 

“I knew I wanted to do something with instruments, and it was suggested I do a music venue,” Funderburk said. “I was hoping to reach anyone who loves music.” 

For Funderburk, the village provides a break from the human world. 

“It's so fun to go there,” she said. “It’s [about fostering] joy between people and taking a step out of the real world.”

Other structures included the Breathe & Bloom Studio, where fairies can do yoga, and the O’Leaffe Gallery, where visiting fairies could peruse the works of renowned fairy artists. 

While this year of Bumblewood has concluded, both human and fairy visitors will be able to view an all-new village next fall. 

For more information about other events from Random Acts of Silliness, visit its website at https://www.randomactsofsilliness.com/.