How to go
What: Monarch Butterfly Festival
Where: Buck Creek Nature Park, 1101 Mitchell Blvd. (behind Carleton Davidson Stadium), Springfield
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27
Admission: Free. Food and beverages will be for sale.
More info: 937-328-7275 or www.ntprd.org/Special_Events.html
The National Trail Parks and Recreation District wants to set your heart and mind aflutter.
The second Monarch Butterfly Festival presents an ongoing issue in nature in fun, informative ways when it returns Saturday, Aug. 27, to the Buck Creek Nature Park, 1101 Mitchell Blvd., located behind Carleton Davidson Stadium.
The event is free and sponsored by Veterinary Services of Springfield.
It will feature activities, arts and crafts, food and live bluegrass music. But among all, it will address the ongoing problems facing the butterfly population.
“A lot of pollinators, especially Monarchs, are declining. We still don’t have many in Clark County,” said Penny Dunbar, recreation specialist with National Trail.
A late winter storm in Mexico, where the Monarchs migrate each winter, killed a lot of the population. Dunbar said they are finally starting to come to other parts of Ohio.
National Trail is countering the problem by trying to plant milkweed on its properties for the caterpillars to feed on and continue to educate the public.
Pollinator education, a local expert and information will be available as well as a butterfly walk and a prairie walk on Saturday.
A children’s art tent will be available where they can work on a collaborative art project, 10 a.m. to noon and other crafts.
Also, winners of a poetry contest about the Monarchs will be announced. Competitors are ages 8-15 and three age groups will be recognized.
The popularity of the bluegrass concert last year has brought in an additional act.
The Muleskinners, who also played last year, will lead off from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by newcomer Pinnacle Ridge (12:30-2:30 p.m.) and Mad River Railroad (2:30-5 p.m.), also returning.
“The Monarchs are fascinating. We enjoy sharing their beauty and we will have a lot to do on Saturday,” Dunbar said.
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