One-of-a-kind pieces of artwork, an artist’s legacy and the friendliest townfolk we’ve ever met, that’s why we went to Wilson, NC for the Whirligig Festival. So, what’s a whirligig? Technically, it is a toy that spins, but Vollis Simpson created breathtaking sculptures out of scrap metal. He filled his fields with art until the town of Wilson, NC purchased them and set up a new home for his majestic pieces in Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park.
The city hosted my family at the Whirligig Festival, and we got to experience the phenomenon up-close-and-personal. The whirligigs are like nothing you’ve ever seen, folk art on a large scale.
Yes, the whirligigs are the center of the festivities, but there is so much more for your family to see and do. At every intersection (along the closed streets), there is an awesome new bounce house for your Littles to enjoy.
As soon as they’ve jumped their hearts out, they can burn off even more of that energy on the American Ninja Warrior course. Even mom and dad can try their skills on the super cool course.
Of course, no festival is complete without amazing festival food. We tried everything we could and every single bite was so delicious.
We were all dancing the weekend away to all the live entertainment. Check out some mad dance moves in this adorable video.
I can’t write about the festival and not mention the super-friendly people that live in Wilson, NC. They are all so nice and have so much pride in their whirligigs. Many of them knew Vollis Simpson, some gave him scrap metal for his art and quite a few grew up around the sculptures.
Don’t leave the festival without a ride up in the bucket truck. A birdseye view of the whirligigs is super cool!
Thank you, Wilson, NC for hosting our family. We made lifelong memories together.
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