Playhouses on Parade at the Racine Zoo

UPDATE: By about 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the playhouses were all-but completed. (Secret: Most were panelized or partially pre-constructed before the event.) The one above with two distinctive turrets is by Jerde Builders. John Jerde is president of the Racine Kenosha Builders Association. Below are pictures of the other three playhouses. A $10 raffle ticket could win your child's choice of these Lilliputian wonders worth $3,000-$7,000.

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The Junior League of Racine, four local builders, the Racine Kenosha Builders Association and the Racine Zoo present the first-ever “Parade of Playhouses” at the Racine Zoo starting this Saturday.

Representatives from Gustaveson Homes, Jerde Builders and Designs, Korndorfer Construction and Newport Builders will be on the Zoo campus on Saturday from 9 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. to build four-child-size homes –or playhouses -- available for raffle to raise funds to benefit the Racine Kenosha Builders Association Scholarship Fund and the children’s programs and initiatives supported by the Junior League of Racine.

The playhouses will be on display at the Racine Zoo until the raffle drawing at Zoovies on July 18. Zoovies are the summertime outdoor movie events starting at dusk three nights throughout the summer presented by Educators Credit Union and Outdoor Movie Mania.

This flower-boxed gem was built by Gustaveson Homes

“The child-size homes are going to be better than your average backyard playhouse. They will be miniature model homes – built of home-building materials, complete with interior finishes,” said Jay Christie, President and CEO, Racine Zoo, “We are thrilled to be chosen as the location for building and display.”

Each raffle ticket is $10 and can be purchased by calling the Junior League of Racine at 262-634-6575 or by visiting the Racine Zoo Gift Shop. The tickets can be turned in to a Junior League member, by mailing them to the Racine Zoo at 200 Goold St., Racine, WI, 53402 or by dropping them off at the Zoo office or gift shop. Tickets can also be dropped into the mailbox in front of the playhouses on display.

Newport Builders' version features a loft and carpeting

“We are thrilled at the number of local organizations involved in this initiative. It is a unique undertaking that has generated a lot of enthusiasm. We are excited to start showcasing the finished “homes” and selling the tickets to raise funds for local donations,” said Autumn Latimore, President, Junior League of Racine, a volunteer organization for women.

The Racine Zoo is open daily. Hours between Labor Day and Memorial Day are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Korndorfer Construction's finishing touches