SPRINGFIELD, MO. — Friends of the Garden, in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, presents the 13th annual Butterfly Festival Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park 2400 S. Scenic Ave.
This free, educational event includes activities, performances and vendors, all in celebration of the caterpillars, moths, butterflies and conservation efforts which are essential to the beautiful Ozarks landscape.
The Butterfly Festival is back to full capacity after going virtual in 2020 and a scaled-back event in 2021. The event is the perfect opportunity for guests to witness peak blooming season at the park and enjoy the marvels of the Roston Native Butterfly House — the only butterfly house of its kind in Missouri.
“The Butterfly Festival is our longest-running event, and we are excited to partner with businesses and organizations rooted in nature, conservation, ecology and sustainability, all in celebration of native butterfly species,” said Heather Parker, Executive Director of Friends of the Garden. “This event is for all ages and there is so much to see and do, so guests can spend the whole day with us.”
Guests are invited to shop for native plants, garden items and lunch from local vendors, experience hands-on crafts and activities, and bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for performances at the Peace Through People Pavilion. Guests may also enjoy free admission to Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and free tours of the historic Gray/Campbell Farmstead during the festival.
A full vendor list and performance/event schedule is HERE.
The Butterfly Festival is made possible by generous support of the City of Springfield Environmental Services Department and the Susan Boswell Foundation.
Friends of the Garden’s mission is to inspire the discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature by creating and maintaining gardens at the Springfield Botanical Gardens and by supporting the mission of the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center and Park Board.
For more information, contact Heather Parker, Executive Director of Friends of the Garden, at 417-874-2952; or visit FriendsoftheGarden.org; or contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510.
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