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Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum

@whirligigpark

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Public park in @downtownwilsonnc featuring 30 whimsical whirligigs created by Vollis Simpson. Open daily from 5:00 am to midnight. Free.

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A huge thank you to the Wilson County Tourism Development Authority for being the Presenting Sponsor of our Gig in the Park concert series! 🎶

We are so grateful for their continued support, their investment in our community, and their passion for showcasing everything that makes Wilson so special. ✨

From bringing visitors into our city to highlighting the incredible experiences, businesses, and events we have to offer, you help shine a spotlight on just how wonderful and unique Wilson truly is — especially our Downtown 😉

Thank you for helping us create memorable nights filled with music, community, and fun. We couldn’t do it without you! 🫶 by @whirligigpark

We are honored to have been chosen by the readers of the Wilson Times as 2026 winners in the categories pictured above 🏅 by @whirligigpark

Conservator, Mel Bowen talks to us about repairs made to the fans on Windmill. by @whirligigpark

America’s Best Sculpture Park is right here in Wilson, NC!

We’re still celebrating the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park being named #1 Best Sculpture Park in America by USA TODAY 10Best! We’re glad to celebrate alongside our friends at the NC Whirligig Festival, pictured here with Vollis’ award-winning whirligigs in the background.

Did you know the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum and the NC Whirligig Festival are two separate non-profit organizations? While we share a love for these incredible works of art, we each play a different role in celebrating Wilson’s whirligig heritage.

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing Vollis Simpson’s one-of-a-kind whirligigs, sharing his story, and educating visitors about this remarkable art form recognized as North Carolina’s official State Folk Art.

The NC Whirligig Festival brings the community together for an exciting and lively celebration of whirligigs. It offers a platform for local artists, craftsmen, and performers to showcase their talents, as well as a chance for attendees to enjoy live music, delicious food, and interactive activities centered around these captivating artworks.

Whether you’re visiting this the park to take in these incredible sculptures or joining us in Downtown Wilson for festival weekend, both organizations offer unique experiences that highlight the rich culture heritage of this fascinating artworks form.

We hope to see everyone during the 22nd annual NC Whirligig Festival

Saturday, November 7 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 | Noon - 5 p.m. by @whirligigpark

Don’t forget to come check out the park at night to see how they reflect💡

The park is open from 5 am to midnight!
Be sure to make some nighttime memories this fall. by @whirligigpark

We had Jay, Garret, Ivy, Ella, and Jacob come to visit the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum with the NC State’s Senior Design Program in the Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering. 🐺❤️🤍

This is what Garret had to say about their trip to Wilson.
“We were all very impressed with the park and with Wilson. There is an energy and a spirit for innovation that is evident throughout the city. The scope of our project is to continue to build upon the work of the previous two teams. Specifically, we will be expanding to the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Gregg Museum. We will also perform an overhaul of the user interface to create an enhanced public website/ dashboard that will show wind, tilt, vibration, etc. Behind the scenes, we plan to build a new maintenance portal for the museum to use to schedule maintenance and detect structural degradation. Ideally, some sort of predictive modeling will be used to alert the museum team to necessary repairs before the whirligigs actually begin to break. “

Stay tuned in to follow their journey to helping our whirligig’s preservation. by @whirligigpark

We’ve got your Tuesday evening plans covered!

Head to @whirligigpark on October 20 for two ways to enjoy @downtownwilsonnc:

@wilsonfarmersartisanmarket | 5 p.m.
Shop local vendors and browse fresh finds and handmade goods.

Light up the Night | 6:30 p.m.
Join the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for a glowing walk or bike ride through downtown, with free light-up accessories while supplies last.

Make an evening of it at the park, support local vendors, and light up downtown with us! by @whirligigpark

Check out the projects our conservators are working on for this fall conservation season 🍂
For our non-profit organization, your donations make conservation possible.
So thank you to all who have donated to keep the whirligigs spinning. by @whirligigpark

Calling all makers, artists, and photographers!

The 22nd Annual @whirligigfestivalnc is just around the corner, and there are THREE ways to let your creativity shine!

🌀 BUILD YOUR OWN WHIRLIGIG
Turn found materials into a whimsical creation that moves! Open to all ages, with Professional Artist/Business, Amateur, and Youth (17 & under) categories.
🏆 $250 prize in each category
📅 Register by November 6 at 5 p.m.
✅ Free entry; pre-registration required

📸 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Share your favorite images from past festivals or the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park! Open to ages 18+, with up to three photos per entrant.
🏆 $250 Best in Show • $100 Honorable Mention • $100 People’s Choice
📅 Submit photos to the Wilson Arts Center by October 24
🖼️ Photos will be displayed during the November 7–8 festival!

🖍️ CHALK ART COMPETITION
Transform the sidewalks at the @whirligigpark with colorful 2D or 3D art! Open to all ages, with materials provided (or bring your own).
🏆 1st place receives: $250 for 3D/Professional • $150 for Amateur • $100 for Youth (17 & under)
📅 Register by October 31 at 5 p.m.
✅ Free entry; pre-registration required

Ready to create? Find complete details and entry information at:
https://whirligigfestivalnc.org/art-contests/

Let’s celebrate the creativity in our community! ✨ by @whirligigpark

Last Tuesday, we had the Barton Faculty come help out in the park and museum for service day! It was amazing to see their Bulldog spirit! 💙

Liz, Bill, and John - Barton College Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Faculty

We want to thank them for all their hard work! by @whirligigpark

The park is such a great space to spend your time ❤️
Stop by and check out the park, it’s open from 5 a.m to midnight.
#whirligigpark by @whirligigpark

Looking for something to do in the cool fall weather?

Check out these great events going on through October 🍂🥧🧥 by @whirligigpark