KWEC Butterfly Festival

All things “butterfly” will be the focus of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s Butterfly Festival from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 13. 

From making milkweed seed bombs to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during this free event. In addition to butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises, and an exhibit bee hive, several other amazing insects and spiders will be on display in the insect “zoo”. Plan to spend the morning, as door prizes will be presented just before noon. 

Nets and tags will be available for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for Monarch butterflies. Although monarch butterfly numbers have decreased drastically, they seem to be rebounding locally, with many adults, caterpillars and eggs found on milkweed in Cheyenne Bottoms.

Kids, and adults who want to be kids again, can play in the mud and make a seed bomb, composed of clay, compost, water and seeds, to take home. Get in some practice by slinging milkweed seed bombs into KWEC’s prairie area using giant slingshots. 

Find your inner insect by taking your photo at monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards. Create a unique caterpillar and a butterfly in the craft section and refuel with light refreshments and drinks. Temporary tattoos, games and other activities round out the morning’s activities. 

Butterfly milkweed plants, with growing instructions, will be available free to those who would like to encourage monarchs to their yards and gardens. Information on butterfly-friendly plants and other attractants will be available and visitors may also walk through the wildflower/butterfly garden to view examples of butterfly-friendly plants.

For more information contact KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit: wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.

Date - Sep 13, 2014 
Time - Between 09:00 AM and 12:00 PM 
Type - Community Event 
Community - Great Bend 
Location - Kansas Wetlands Education Center 
Address - 592 NE K-156 Highway
Great Bend, KS 67530 
Contact - 1-877-243-9268 
Website - wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu