A band of trolls is coming to Burlington County.
They are part of the Burington County Troll Trek, a new public art exhibition organized by the county commissioners and the Burlington County Parks System and inspired by the Big Rusty troll created by world renowned sculptor Thomas Dambo at the site of Hainesport’s future Creek Turn Park.
Big Rusty is made from mostly recycled materials found on the property, a former abandoned ceramics factory. The massive statue has become a popular homage to recycling and sustainability. The new trolls are being crafted by area artists from recycled and natural materials.
Residents and visitors will soon get to meet the 18 new trolls, and a couple of them will be introduced at the county’s Arts After Dark festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Historic Smithville Park.
The festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and will include music and theater performances, fine art exhibits and poetry. The Troll Trek kickoff will be held at 6 p.m. and will feature the unveiling of two Smithville trolls. A map with the exact location of every troll will be available after the ceremony.
The new trolls are being created by 16 artists or teams of artists selected from dozens of submissions in response to a parks system prospectus. Each artist or team was awarded a $500 stipend to help cover materials and installation expenses.
The trolls and their approximate locations are highlighted in the Burlington County Parks Fall Program Guide available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/235/Parks. For a list, visit www.co.burlington.nj.us.
