Butterfly Festivals:
Fun and Education for All!

A butterfly parade (left) and a performance by butterfly dancers (below) were highlights of the Mount Magazine festival.

   The overwhelming response by the general public and media to both festivals was particularly gratifying to me. Although the festivals pivoted around different themes, both were inspired by my research and "butterfly evangelism" over the past few years. Furthermore, as a direct result of my involvement with the two celebrations, I was recently appointed Director of Butterfly Festivals for this organization (NABA). Now I am in a high profile professional position to motivate and consult with other individuals or organizations contemplating their own regional festival.

   For a butterfly (or any other) festival to be outstanding, it must have a particular point of focus. The Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival capitalized on international publicity generated by my ongoing research there since 1991. My investigations have documented that Mount Magazine, at 2,753 feet above sea level and the highest point in the entire Midwest, has an extraordinary richness of butterfly species: of the Arkansas total of 127 resident species (152 if one includes vagrants), at least 91 occur on the mountain's plateau-like summit. Furthermore, virtually all are represented in good numbers and the Diana Fritillary (considered by many to be the nation's showcase butterfly, but observed now only occasionally in scattered localities in Arkansas and Oklahoma and throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains of the East), consistently reproduces on the mountain. Because of this extraordinary diversity, Mount Magazine is definitely one of the country's biological "hot spots," a living butterfly "Eden."

   But the mountain has two other distinctions. After more than two decades of political wrangling, Mount Magazine is now Arkansas' newest state park. Second, in the summer of 1997, the governor of the state decreed that Mount Magazine State Park (along with the two nearby sister parks of Mount Nebo and Petit Jean) will be promoted as a "Tri-Peaks State Parks Destination," a distinction affording extra funding, development, and campaigns to foster nature-oriented tourism in "The Natural State." As such, Mount Magazine is rapidly gaining celebrity status.

   Throughout the summer of 1997, the Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival was extensively promoted by local and national news media (including garden and butterfly-oriented magazines). Immediately prior to the weekend of the festival, the town of Paris (population 3,800), long advertised as the "Gateway to Mount Magazine," and just 22 miles north of the monolith's summit, shifted into high gear. Banners advertising the festival were suspended above State Highway 22, the main traffic artery, at town limits. Merchants displayed lawn signs and colorful butterfly-molded balloons proclaiming their individual sponsorship of the festival. Others decorated their storefront windows with eye-catching butterfly memorabilia. A recently refurbished Victorian-style house served as an inviting "Official Butterfly Information Center" where visitors could not only pick up printed information, but simply chat and indulge in complimentary refreshments.

   Although the Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival was officially scheduled between Friday August 1 and Sunday August 3, festivities actually began on the evening of July 31 with a V.I..P. Reception sponsored by the North Logan County Chamber of Commerce and held in the Community Center of downtown Paris. The kickoff event featured a sumptuous buffet-style banquet table decorated with colorful flowers and, of course, bounteous butterfly ornamentations. A full-sized poster titled "Mount Magazine, Arkansas: Butterflies" featuring 34 individual photographs of mine accented the room's vestibule. (Ten thousand copies were printed for free distribution to schools statewide and for marketing including a set of 150 signed by the Lieutenant Governor, Winthrup P. Rockefeller, and myself.)

   While the atmosphere was relaxed, there was a short, formal program. Various local and state dignitaries were introduced; a representative of the Governor's Office proclaimed the festival an "official state event;" Mr. Winthrup Rockefeller dedicated the festival to Mr. Wilbur H. Clarkston, immediate past president of the North Logan County Chamber of Commerce whose inspiration had laid the initial groundwork for the festival, but who met an untimely death earlier during the summer. The evening climaxed with the party walking across the town square to the Paris Cinema to preview my special multimedia production (combination of live commentary, "surround sound" music, bank of slide projectors, and big screen): "Mount Magazine, Arkansas: Fantasia."

Parader number 26 (left) clearly has a Hollywood career ahead of him while the butterfly dancer below created quite a flap! (below)

   The festival formally opened the following morning. A closely mowed grassy overlook (site of a previous tourist lodge) with a spectacular view of a lake-studded valley below had been transformed into a mini-tented city to serve as festival headquarters. Because Mount Magazine is in a rural setting, festival developers were charged with creating a functional, but temporary, infrastructure to support the anticipated large numbers of visitors. For example, power generators, portable toilets, and potable water had to be trucked in. With limited roadside space, two large parking areas had to be constructed in nearby meadows (four school buses were employed to shuttle visitors to and from the tented epicenter). The mammoth undertaking required combined personnel from the sponsoring chamber of commerce, the U.S. Forest Service, the Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the Paris National Guard.

   Within the tents, officials greeted visitors, distributed a schedule of activities, and sold commemorative posters and T-shirts; vendors (some from as far away as Florida and Pennsylvania) marketed nature-based crafts, butterfly-attracting plants and ornaments, and specialty foods; graduate students from the Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, displayed striking insects, some preserved, some alive. In a separate tent, housing a grandstand and chairs, events included musical treats by local talent and "Dance of the Butterflies," performed by cleverly costumed school children. I presented informal seminars: "Why Butterflies," "Butterfly Gardening," and "Mount Magazine's Butterflies."

   Activities flourished outside, too. Joanna Rivera (president of NABA-South Texas) captivated children with her highly emotional "butterfly story hour." Lori Nobles of Fayetteville, demonstrated how she catches, tags, and releases Monarchs for her ongoing research on Monarch migration (Monarchs were present in good numbers during festival days and were already moving southward through the region). Boy Scouts supervised leisurely hikes along a wooded trail up to Signal Hill, the mountain's official "peak." I escorted small groups in roadside strolls to identify common plants and butterflies. And yes, the elusive and spectacular Diana Fritillary did make her appearance! (In fact, I recorded 38 species of butterflies during the three-day event Monarch, Great Spangled Fritillary, Pipevine Swallowtail, and Silver-spotted Skipper were the most numerous.)

   There were fun-filled activities and projects to engage children: face painting, coloring contests, frog, turtle, and beetle races, construction of "butterfly towers" (netted cages to contain live butterflies); and hands-on demonstrations of the proper method of planting seeds in pots. In the evenings, audiences were treated to the music of SWEET WATER, a local up-and-coming country/bluegrass band, founded only in 1992 but now celebrating their third recording.

   And there was more. Because Mount Magazine is blessed with towering cliffs, hang gliding has been a popular sport there for many years. To expose festival goers to this highly specialized, colorful sport; as well as to play upon the not-too-far-fetched symbolism between the wings of butterflies and the sails of human gliders, the Fort Smith Hang Gliding Association participated in the festival. Unfortunately, wind direction during the weekend was not favorable for launching; only one glider was successful. But the sight of that soaring "human butterfly" silhouetted against the deep blue mountain air sparked a wave of extended applause, and, I dare say, the glistening of an eye or two, also.

   Most activities atop the mountain were repeated each day free of charge. However, three unique events occurred in Paris only on Saturday, August 2. That morning, between 7 and 9 o'clock, the downtown Methodist church hosted a "Country Butterfly Breakfast" with a nominal charge. At 8:30 the "Dance of the Butterfly Parade" inched its way through the center of town punctuated by cheers from sidewalk throngs. The parade featured a motorcade of shiny antique cars, new convertibles starring local festival and school queens, a martial arts class, a Boy Scout troop, baton twirlers costumed as butterflies, and a rider on a "winged" horse. But the real showstoppers were parents and children including several toddlers in strollers and a young man in a wheelchair masquerading as plants, caterpillars, pupas, and butterflies. Cash prizes were later awarded. Finally at 5:30 in the afternoon, I repeated my multimedia program in the Paris Cinema for the general public.

A Zebra Swallowtail cooperates with a festival photographer

   Judging from newspaper reviews and personal comments, the first Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival met its challenge. For statistics, approximately 10,000 visitors representing 35 states, three provinces of Canada, and five distant countries (Australia, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Uganda) participated. But the festival was also a celebration of an all-too-often forgotten community ethic. Festival goers could not help but notice that the rural event was enthusiastically embraced by all merchants, politicians, schoolteachers, students, and everyday citizens alike. Town spirit and pride were highly visible and highly contagious.

   As I reflect on the festival and what I like to call "Parisian camaraderie," two testaments by out-of-state visitors come to mind. An adult exclaimed, "Paris may be small but it has a big heart." And a preteen named Albert, with bushy red hair and a cunning dash of wit, whispered into my ear his appraisal: "It was better than very good."

   Committees are currently planning the second annual festival, scheduled for July 30 through August 2, 1998. To maintain momentum during the intervening year, members prepared a syllabus on butterflies. This, along with copies of the official butterfly poster and my recently published "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Butterflies" were distributed to schools throughout the state. Weather permitting, the second annual Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival should outshine the first.
I can hardly wait!
For further information contact:
Paris Area Chamber of Commerce
301 W. Walnut Street, Paris, AR 72855
tel.: 800-980-8660; fax: 501-963-8321
internet: www.paris-ar.com

The Mount Magazine International Butterfly Festival in Arkansas exploited a natural geographic landmark with an extraordinary abundance of native butterflies. In contrast, Missouri's first Festival of Butterflies '97 celebrated butterflies in an artificially created 835-acre complex of botanical gardens and educational facilities located just 30 miles southeast of the thriving metropolis of Kansas City. Festival activities at Powell Gardens were concentrated in-and-around the recently constructed Visitor Education Center, a $6 million, 18,000 square-foot structure (surrounded with 18,000 square feet of manicured flower gardens) designed by nationally renowned architects Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings (perhaps best known for their "Thorncrown Chapel" in Eureka Springs, Arkansas).

   Although the festival boasted a variety of activities, the premiere attraction was a walk through the "Martha Jane Phillips Starr Butterfly Exhibit," a roomy conservatory housing masses of potted flowers and a host of free-flying butterflies composed of approximately a dozen native species. Festival of Butterflies '97 was previewed with massive media build-up throughout the Kansas City area. Then on August 15, there was a ticketed reception in the new Visitor Education Center. The springboard event, lavishly catered with food, drink and music, featured a multimedia production of mine prepared especially for the occasion and titled "A Clockwork Orange: The Trans-Gulf Migration of the Monarch Butterfly." Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited to tour the new butterfly exhibit. In the lobby, Ms Beth Phillip, a botanical illustrator, unveiled her commemorative painting: a watercolor montage of native butterflies and caterpillars among prairie wildflowers.

   Festival gates officially opened on Saturday morning August 16. As expected, the exhibit of live butterflies proved hypnotic. Visitors were awed with their first "close encounter" with gossamer-winged beauties that for millennia have spoken to our hearts and souls. And though visitors often had to wait in long queues outside, temperatures were not excessive and volunteers regularly passed out spring water to those individuals becoming uncomfortable. Also, other activities were scheduled throughout the day to shepherd adult and child alike into the magic world of butterflies.

Colorful gardens proved to be attractive to butterflies and festival-goers alike at the Missouri Festival of Butterflies

   Twice each day I presented a second multimedia production, "The Joy of Butterflies," and at other times engaged audiences with informal discussions on such topics as "An Introduction to the World of Butterflies: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know Answered," and "The Mythological, Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Butterflies." Additionally, Natalia Howard, a local gardening expert and horticulture manager, entertained with and illustrated seminar, "Flowers that Fly -- Gardening to Attract Butterflies."

   In the formal butterfly gardens adjoining the center, Alan Branhagen (Horticulture Manager of Powell) was positioned to assist visitors seeking answers to plant and butterfly identification. There, too, members (some pre-teenage) of the Idalia Society, named after the Regal Fritillary, the state's showcase species, conducted hourly strolls to lend their expertise to butterfly sightings. As a result, during the two sun-filled days of the festival, 28 species of butterflies were seen, with the most common being Giant Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Monarch. (Within the borders of Powell, 61 species have now been documented. Missouri records 125 resident and another 31 vagrant species.) And there was even one surprise: On Saturday, a Gulf Fritillary, the first of its kind for the grounds, flew into the gardens.

   Other professionals were also present. Mr. Doug Ladd, author of the popular field guide Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers and Director of Science and Stewardship for The Nature Conservancy of Missouri, escorted groups to "botanize" outside the formal gardens. And behind the visitor complex, Master Gardeners along with volunteers and staff from Powell and the conservancy (including Mr. Roger Still, recently promoted to Executive Director and the individual who first conceived of a Missouri butterfly festival) addressed questions about butterflies and butterfly gardening. Here, too, visitors could purchase relevant literature and potted specimens of Buddleia or "butterfly bush," perhaps the world's numero uno butterfly-attracting plant.

   As with most popular festivals, the Missouri celebration set off special times for youngsters. A child could have his or her face painted with butterflies (or even spiders or flowers), and construct a simple butterfly feeder, bracelet, or ring. Volunteers from "Reading Reptile," a Kansas City-based children's bookstore resembling a fantasy storyland, mesmerized wide-eyed faces (adults included!) with whimsical yarns.

   When appetites summoned, visitors could partake in a full-service cafeteria housed within the visitor complex or else purchase snacks and barbecue from tented outdoor vendors. Nearby picnic tables and live music by the Mariah Wind Trio provided relaxation and ambience. And last but not least, a butterfly photo exhibit illustrating native species in natural settings adorned the walls of the Visitor Center Gallery.

   In summary, the Powell Gardens-Nature Conservancy co-sponsorship of Festival of Butterflies inspired a unique, historic synergism. That is, the cooperative efforts of the two organizations, each different, but each passionately dedicated to a special demonstration of nature-oriented conservation, education, recreation, and fund raising, created a new, remarkably contagious "celebration of life." Approximately 14,000 guests passed through festival gates. (The official count is only 12,000, but at least 500 vehicles containing an unknown number of occupants were waved through the gates on Saturday without payment to honor a request from Missouri State Troopers. Apparently, long backups at the entrance gates were causing highways serving as arteries to the gardens to become too congested.) This attendance was unprecedented, not only for previous festivals at Powell Gardens but, more than likely, for a butterfly festival anywhere, anytime. Quite an accomplishment for a first-year event. I extend kudos to all!

   In future years the festival promises to be even a greater spectacle. Consider: To date only a fraction of the specialty gardens and native plant plots initially designed for Powell have been installed. These additions certainly will prove magnetic to native butterflies and will also provide new opportunities for lectures, walks and even photographic "safaris." Moreover, curators plan to increase the number of butterflies in the "Martha Jane Phillips Starr Butterfly Exhibit." (Because of slight engineering glitches and delays in shipmentsremember that UPS strike in Augustthe 1997 exhibit was slightly under-stocked.) Lastly, plans are underfoot for the production of a new multimedia program featuring the natural history of Regal Fritillaries and their role in the prairie ecosystem. This could become a signature event for future festivals. As a postscript, I must include a comment made to me by a young woman dallying at closing time Sunday afternoon: "I enjoyed the festival so much I came for both days. Now, I wish there was a third!"

   I smiled in agreement.

Missouri's Festival of Butterflies '98 is scheduled for August 8 and 9, 1998. For additional information contact:
Powell Gardens
1609 NW US HWY 50
Kingsville, MO 64061
tel. 816-697-2600
or
The Nature Conservancy of Missouri
2800 S. Brentwood, St. Louis, MO 63144
tel.: 314-968-1105
fax: 314-968-3659
e-mail:opei33@aol.com

All Photographs this article by Gary Noel Ross

As this issue of American Butterflies was in press, the United States Army agreed with NABA that its plans for a tracked vehicle maneuvering area at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania were inappropriate without further study. Faced with NABA's legal action, the Army and Pennsylvania National Guard agreed to file an Environmental Impact Statement, assessing the effect of these activities on the butterfly, and to work with NABA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to attempt to develop a plan that would allow the Regal Fritillaries to survive. This victory for butterflies, gives the Regals at least another year to live, but does not, as yet, guarantee their long-term fate, since, after further study, the Army may yet decide to proceed with its current plans. We will keep NABA members posted. JG