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WitchFest at Gardner Village

October 21, 2020

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I’m not even going to fluff up my intro to this blog—I’m just gonna come right out and say it. You, yes,YOU, need to go to Gardner Village pronto. Stat. Right away. At once. Why? Because it’sawesome. Is it one of the best venues to visit during the fall season? My voteis yes. Gardner Village is currently running its wonderful WitchFest, which haslots to offer for all age groups: scavenger hunts, escape rooms, art studios,Breakfast with the Witch, Wee Witches Weekend, and much more.

 

Let me take you through mywonderful day with Marcia, who has been a part of the Gardner Village team for25 years. She gave me a tour of the village all decorated and ready forWitchFest that is taking place right now until October 31st.  There are tons of things to see and explorein this beautiful and well decorated little village. I spent over an hour thereand only managed to see less than half of the fun activities and shops.

 

Included in the many shopsare exciting activities for all ages! That sounds cliché, but it’s literallytrue. There’s a scavenger hunt to keep the little ones distracted while you gocheck out the Halloween décor. (While my nephews were doing that, I found thisawesome painting that has lights in it that light up a spooky pumpkin. It’shanging up on my wall beside my TV. One of the best finds of my life.) There’sa petting zoo (as you know, seeing that it is on the GetOutPass) and an escaperoom! Besides these activities are dozens of shops that have some of the bestfudge, caramel apples and taffy that you’ll ever have. There’s a magic showalong with many home décor, clothing, toy, flower, and book boutiques! GardnerVillage has it all. Let me go into detail with some of the ones I visited.

 

I made my first stop at TheArt Cottage, which is close to the middle of the village. Insideyou’ll be able to see some great art created by local artists and enjoy somedelicious gelato. I would recommend the birthday cake or honeycomb flavors,which, if I’m being honest, are two flavors I would never try but my goodness,they were incredible. Outside of the window are some easy-to-paint projectsthat are perfect for those that want to see if they truly have the skill of artinside them. I don’t have that skill, but it was still fun to paint my littlewitch hat at home. If you’re looking to get started in the arts, they provide astellar art program meant for beginners and experts. The classes are veryaccommodating for all skill sets, and I couldn’t think of a better place tobegin art lessons!

 

The Chocolate CoveredWagon is next, and if you don’t get some fudge there, itwould be like going to an amusement park and not riding any of the rides. Youjust… you have to get some fudge. I demand it. The fudge is awesome, and I’mnot even a fudge guy. I had the cookies and cream and peanut butter (twodifferent fudges) and they were just amazing. Along with the fudge are dozensof caramel apples that are perfectly sweet and wonderful. I can’t forget aboutthe homemade taffy, which is stretchy, yummy, perfect. If your mouth isn’twatering yet, I need to work on my adjectives because it totally should be.This store is so great that it is featured in Food Network Magazine’s“America’s 50 Best Candy Stores”!

 

My next stop was at Wanderlust,which is ran by the wonderful Courtney, who has visited 114 countries in hertravels! The name of her shop explains everything about it—inside, you’ll findtravel gifts from all around the world. My wife has been to England, and shefell in love with all of the ornaments she had that featured phone booths andthose double decker busses. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to buyeverything in that store. My father got a puzzle created the talented EricDowdle thatfeatured WitchFest. There were hundreds of toys and sweets and trinkets fromaround the globe for Halloween, Christmas, and year round decoration.

 

If I haven’t sparked yourinterest with these three shops, allow me to tell you what I loved about my twovisits at Gardner Village this last week. First of all, it was very safe andspacious. The shops did a great job of social distancing, sanitizing, and beingcourteous with the COVID virus complications. Second, the setting is simplycharming. I mean, it really is just so fun to go from your home that you’vebeen stuck in all week to this quaint and delightful village that has so muchspirit put into it. It’s both historical and appealing for anyone who visits.Third, we have had a sort of awakening in the last couple months withsupporting local businesses. Gardner Village is made up of dozens of smallbusinesses, and for me (the very casual shopper), I could easily tell thatthese shops loved being there and that their products were not victims of mass productionand heartless creation. They made me excited for the Fall season and for theupcoming Halloween holiday.

 

I’m not much of a shoppermyself, but I was amazed at the hundreds of products there that ranged fromspooky, unique, goofy, and simple fun. I left with some awesome Halloweendecorations and a full and happy belly full of sweets. I will say that I had tohold my wife back from getting everything she saw. Every single store has thiswonderful and charming atmosphere that was welcoming and made staying thereenjoyable. Two hours flew by before I knew it.

 

I didn’t even mind missingsome of the rare football games to visit Gardner Village. This may be the firsttime in my life that I enjoyed shopping more than watching football. I know,crazy. Don’t tell my brothers.  

 

- Dallin 

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