The parks and rec departments in Charlottesville and Albemarle County are teaming up to help us cope with the pending end of Monarch butterfly season here locally.
Yep, it’s time – fall is when the Monarchs pass through the area on their journey to the warmth of Mexico.
I know, life is unfair.
But we at least have the annual Butterfly Festival, which will be held on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. at Darden Towe Park.
The free community event blends Mexican cultural heritage, environmental education, and family-friendly fun.
Highlights include:
- Live music: featuring local bands Brookhouse and The Lua Project
- Celebrate the life cycle of the Butterfly with Metamorphosis, an aerialist performance by Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus
- Hands-On Crafts: Make cempasuchil, or marigolds out of paper, decorate an upcycled butterfly feeder. Squish together a milkweed seed bomb, and learn how to make art with the sun using cyanotype paper.
- Puppet Show and Workshop: Watch Barefoot Puppet Theatre’s adorable Wriggling Brother’s Circus and make a puppet of your own in their Puppet Making Workshop.
- Learn about native species with presenting partners and participate in a BioBlitz with the Piedmont Discovery Center.