Changes to ‘Faeries, Sprites, and Lights’ at Minnetrista Due to COVID-19

Faeries, Sprites, & Lights at Minnetrista. Photo provided.Faeries, Sprites, & Lights at Minnetrista. Photo provided.

By: Stephen Mortland—

Muncie, IN—It is Faerie season in Muncie and now more than ever our community could use a dose of Faerie enchantment and the togetherness this event brings year after year. In light of COVID-19 and the guidelines and best practices surrounding it, we have been forced to cancel, postpone, or reimagine a number of traditional events. Faeries, Sprites, & Lights is no different. Leadership at Minnetrista put our heads together to reimagine this year’s event such that it would ensure public safety while remaining true to the spirit of the event by giving families the opportunity to step into a magical “other” where imaginative play happens together in line with the history of the site.

This year’s Faeries, Sprites, & Lights experience will be onsite in Oakhurst Gardens and will provide our community a way to interact with the event in whatever ways and to whatever extent they feel comfortable.

To accomplish this, we will be extending the event out from the traditional three day event to an eleven day outdoor experience from July 23–August 2. Visitors will take a self-guided walk through Oakhurst Gardens, which will be decorated with all the imagination and whimsy our patrons have come to expect of this event. Guests will visit in 2 hour increments. Each day will include four of these two hour slots, each of which will have a maximum capacity of 60 visitors.

Tickets are limited due to capacity restrictions. Register in advance online to reserve your spot. Walk-ups welcome, but admitted on first-come first served. Admission is free, but we have several exciting add-ons to make your Faerie experience all the more memorable. These items are available for purchase when you make your reservation.

Masks are highly encouraged but not required. We encourage all in attendance to follow social distancing guidelines. There will be a 1 hour break for cleaning and sanitizing in the middle of each day. There will be staff stationed throughout the Gardens to maximize the experience for our guests and to answer any questions.

Although the experience will look different this year, we are certain that the magic will still be there. We still encourage guests to come in the most enchanted faerie attire and to let the event be a space to create memories within our faerie community!

For more information about the event and for ticketing purchase visit minnetrista.net. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information on our exhibits and events.