Fairies, brownies, goblins, elves and hobbits inhabit Powe's enchanted gardens and many tell creative stories about their lives and livelihoods.
These stories are usually told by their caretakers, Beje and Dan Higgins, who visit the garden of their home at 13631 Rostrata Road. They open the garden to the public three times a year during Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
The next open house will take place on Sunday, December 17, from noon to 4 p.m. Dan Higgins will dress up as Santa Claus and pose for pictures with his children while his wife tells the story of what the garden animals are doing in their home in a mini commercial. Events and attractions. other buildings.
"I don't have a story for every building, because there are so many, but when we build something for a garden, we think about the people who live there, the type of work they do in the garden, about the people they meet and live with... will benefit." T. "We get along well," said Beja Higgins. "I get bored easily, so I have to get things done."
The idea for the whimsical garden came from a fairy painted on Higgins' kitchen door. It was another creative feature in their home, which was already decorated with a monogrammed sign on the bathroom floor, a clue sign on the kitchen floor, a whale tail on the ceiling and a tin man from the movie The Wiz. From the Land of Oz” as decoration.
One of Higgins' grandsons named the fairy Rootbeer. “Root Bear needs a lock soon,” said Beje Higgins. Little foxes appeared and had to hide from humans. When dragons fly at night, they drop dragon scales that turn to silver.
He said Rutbir began raising money to finance his war effort, then used the funds to build a fairytale university with a park, primary school and library, as well as housing for students and teachers.
"He's a benefactor of the garden," Higgins said. "He's fine".
The couple started building the garden when the pandemic hit in 2020. That same year, Higgins retired from caring for terminally ill teenagers, and her husband retired from computer programming earlier at 16.
“We built Rootbeer Castle first and that's where it all started. In fact, there has been a boom in the real estate market,” he said.
Over time, Enchanted Gardens became populated with locals looking for a winery, a pink dot hotel, a town hall, a Gnombox cafe and a 1950s restaurant. Residents have places to store pet supplies. shopping, getting their nails done and buying ice cream.
Tandy Bucklebottom, a hobbit, became mayor of the garden.
"He's a great man," Higgins said. “She is a great chef and takes pride in making desserts. He also takes care of the daily maintenance of the garden and manages the banking and accounting services."
One of the stories Higgins tells the audience is about a Renaissance fair when the elves were at the North Pole. While the elves were busy making toys, a motley group of elves arrived at the enchanted garden with caravans and tents. This led to numerous traffic, noise and parking problems.
"When the elves came back, they were so angry that the garden had to open an elf complaint department at city hall," Higgins said. “When the Renaissance fair closes for the night, the animals that liven up the fair return to their tents and garages, light a communal fire in front of the house and sing.
"So even after the Renaissance fair, the fairies do not find peace and quiet. There is much discontent in the farthest corners of the garden. »
The Enchanted Garden is surrounded by mystery: its inhabitants like to hide. This allows viewers to use their imagination to see what the animals look like, Higgins said.
"I tell them they probably won't see the fairy because they're hiding," she said. "But if they look closely, they will see a wing or hear it fly. A girl said, "I saw a fairy." » One of them said: "I want to stay here. " It's funny. What's the point if you can't have fun? »
Guests will also be able to see something new as the garden undergoes a transformation. According to Higgins, Grandma Elf decided the garden looked too human-centric, so they added wooden structures to make it more organic, with lots of wood, moss and pinecone roofing.
“We're trying to expand it and make it a forest,” he said. "I find it interesting to see people's reactions."
Although the garden tour is free, Higgins asks campers to bring a new, unwrapped toy, which will be donated to a local domestic violence shelter. Visitors are asked to park on the street, but handicap accessibility is also provided.
“I love seeing the kids' faces,” Higgins said. "When they get to the garden, they are very excited."
