Back in the day, Amy Butscher would take her two daughters to NorthPark Center to tour the Parade of Playhouses. They’d buy their raffle tickets, select their favorites and hope they’d win. Over the years they never took home a playhouse, but they loved the experience and it became an annual tradition.
In 2003, Butscher had a son who was old enough to participate in the tradition and lo and behold, he won. The first Playhouse Butscher took home was a wood structure made to look like a Purple Rhino. Two years later, they won again. This time it was a wood structure made to look like a fish. Both were by the same builder.
Giving Back to The Parade
At that point, Butscher decided she HAD to get involved. It was her turn to give something back. She’s a graphic designer by trade and her brother is a framing contractor so they were pretty much the perfect fit.
Since that first entry in 2006, Butscher and her family have participated every year except two. Their playhouses are always special and always very specifically themed. Butscher said sure, they could build a playhouse that looks like a miniature house, but she said fellow participant LRO does that so very, very well, she’s not sure she wants to compete.
Instead, she comes up with wonderful ideas and her brother brings them to life. She said every year he’s a little skeptical until they get into it and the playhouse starts to take shape. That’s when he steps back, sees her vision, and goes all in.
This year they’re creating a miniature horse stable that was inspired by her daughter, who teaches riding lessons, and her grandniece. She came up with the idea after a lesson one day and pitched it to her grandniece. The grandniece loved it and Butscher had her draw up her vision. Now, it’s in the process of becoming real.
Some of Butscher’s favorites over her tenure as lead designer at making dreams come true have been an Up-inspired playhouse and a Steampunk one. She remembers not having any idea what that would look like, but she loved the idea, so they brought it to life. There’s also been a Frozen-inspired playhouse, a pirate ship, a Keebler Elf treehouse, and most recently, an Apollo 11 Lunar Module.
If you’re interested in taking home a playhouse or simply supporting Dallas CASA, head to NorthPark Center July 9 through the 25 where all the playhouses will be on display.
And if you really, really want to win, maybe ask Butscher for her best tips.
