We’re excited to share big news with our community and visitors from near and far: Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park has been nominated once again for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Best Sculpture Park—this time for 2026!

After proudly earning #2 Best Sculpture Park in the Nation in 2025, this new nomination is an opportunity to build on that momentum and show the country what makes this park truly one of a kind. With your help, we’re aiming even higher this year.

Vote Daily: January 19 – February 16, 2026

USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards are decided entirely by public voting—and you can vote once per day, every day, throughout the voting period. Voting opens January 19 and runs through February 16, 2026, use the button link below to cast your vote!

Every daily vote makes a difference. Whether you’re a longtime supporter, a first-time visitor, or someone who simply loves public art, your vote helps elevate the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park on a national stage.

Why the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Stands Out

Located in the heart of downtown Wilson, North Carolina, the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is home to 30 massive kinetic sculptures created by farm machinery repairman and self-taught artist Vollis Simpson. Crafted from salvaged road signs, bicycle parts, and industrial materials, these towering works of art—some reaching nearly 50 feet tall—spin, shimmer, and come alive with the wind.

Designated North Carolina’s Official State Folk Art in 2013, Vollis Simpson’s whirligigs are celebrated not only for their scale and movement, but for their joyful spirit and cultural significance. The park serves as an open-air museum, community gathering space, and must-see destination for visitors exploring North Carolina public art, folk art, and sculpture parks.

Whether you’re watching the whirligigs turn against the Carolina sky, enjoying a picnic on the green, or discovering Wilson’s vibrant downtown, the experience is unforgettable.

Help Us Reach the Top in 2026

Last year, your support helped us earn the title of #2 Best Sculpture Park in the Nation—an honor that brought national attention to Wilson, our volunteers, and the legacy of Vollis Simpson. Being nominated again is a powerful reminder of what this community can accomplish together.

Let’s keep the momentum going.

Remember to vote daily from January 19 through February 16, 2026 and encourage friends, family, and fellow art lovers to do the same.

Thank you for supporting the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and helping us share the magic of these extraordinary sculptures with the world.