Celebrate butterflies and other pollinators at the 9th Annual Butterfly Festival, Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield.
This free family-friendly event combines fun with learning. The Greene County Master Gardeners, through their signature “Young Sprouts in the Garden” program, provide learning stations about butterflies, caterpillars — including the popular Caterpillar Petting Zoo — bees, soil, ladybugs, flowers and gardening. The festival also includes vendors selling plants and garden items, booths, raffles, face painting, tie-dying t-shirts and a full schedule of kid-friendly activities, including:
9 a.m. Bee Good to our Pollinators Workshop
9:30 a.m. Strolling Butterfly Magic by the Fishin’ Magicians
9:30 a.m. Story Time with the Springfield-Greene County Library District
10 a.m. Butterfly Magic Show by the Fishin’ Magicians
10 a.m. Concert with the Conservatory of the Ozarks
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free admission to Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
11 a.m. Children’s pollinator costume contest (Butterfly, Caterpillar and Other Pollinator categories) followed by parade (for kids 10 and under, register by 10:45 a.m.)
12 p.m. Strolling Butterfly Magic by the Fishin’ Magicians
12:15 p.m. Counting Butterflies on the Prairie, with Missouri Prairie Foundation
1 p.m. Butterfly Magic Show by the Fishin’ Magicians
2:15 p.m. Story Time with the Springfield-Greene County Library District
Tours are available throughout the festival at the Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House, the Daylily Garden, Gray-Campbell Farmstead and Liberty Schoolhouse. A complete of events schedule is at friendsofthegarden.org.
The Butterfly Festival is held rain or shine, with activities indoors at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, and outside throughout the park.
After the festival, stick around for free concerts at the Peace Through People Pavilion: the Conservatory of the Ozarks at 6 p.m., and The Shortleaf Band featuring Dave Wilson at 7:30. Bring your own lawn chair. Donations are welcome for a project to enhance access to the Kickapoo Edge Prairie.
The Butterfly Festival is presented by Friends of the Garden, the Greene County Master Gardeners and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, with the assistance of numerous partners and sponsors.
For more information, visit friendsofthegarden.org or call the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at 417-891-1515.
For media inquiries, contact Lisa Bakerink, Executive Director of Friends of the Garden, at 417-874-2952; or Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-874-2943 (office) or 417-224-5510 (mobile) or email Jenny Edwards.