Fairy House Trail Touches Farmingdale With Whimsy

FARMINGDALE, N.J.— If what the world needs now is a bit more whimsy, Farmingdale has a suggestion: Visit its Fairy Trail, evenings starting Friday, June 17, through July 17.

To see the Fairy Trail, just go into the woods behind the Community Center, 11 Asbury Ave. There is parking, for those who need cars - not wings - for transportation. Enter the trail from dusk to 9 p.m.

Farmingdale is a cozy borough, situated in the midst of Howell. It all started as a town-wide contest for kids to decorate gnome houses - or fairy houses if they preferred that concept.

To put the event together took more than a flick of a magic wand, however. The efforts of many residents and those on the Recreation Commission went into the events leading up to the trail.

First, there were the children's decorating efforts: Savannah Levers was awarded first place for her fairy vignette.

Amanda Levers, Savannah's mother, is a member of the town's Recreation Commission and said many other themed trails have been displayed at the community center. There were Halloween, Christmas and a leprechaun trail for St. Patrick's Day, Amanda Levers said.

Danielle Neuhaus, another commission member, said there are 14 family houses displayed and those each will be recognized with a prize. She said there are even more houses decorated by children in town that will be added to the trail. The sponsor of the decorating was Neuhaus Exterior Repairs & Services.

The idea for fairy trails seems to catching on. Other trails pop up in various area of the state or country, based on an internet search. But they don't seem to have that small town Farmingdale touch.

The Farmingdale trails are set up in the woods, or the "enchanted forest," as its known on town flyers for the event, behind the community center. This year the trail is illuminated.

Neuhaus said she was a little concerned about how long the structures will withstand rain as the month wears on.

But meanwhile, the fairy houses will have their chance to glimmer in the moonlight on summer evenings, with the vignettes illuminated by twinkling lights, hopefully through July 17.