The Butterfly Festival

By: Tony Centonze

It's that time of year, time to pack up the family and spend the day at Oak Grove's 11th Annual Butterfly Festival, a day of interactive and educational activities that will culminate with the release of more than 1,400 Monarch butterflies.

Oak Grove, Kentucky is just a short drive to the northwest of Clarksville, and it's easy to miss. It only takes a few minutes to get from one side of town to the other, but, a couple of times each year Oak Grove Tourism makes that little town the place to be.

Thousands will once again turn out for this award-winning event. It's a chance for kids to make environmental arts and crafts, play in the Bubble Zone, and even interact with live butterflies in the Butterfly House.

Oak Grove's Butterfly Festival was honored earlier this year at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association's (SFEA) Kaleidoscope Awards in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Oak Grove event competed against numerous community events from five states and brought home a bronze SFEA Kaleidoscope Award for Best Children's Programming. It was Oak Grove Tourism's 3rd win in a row.

“This year's Butterfly Festival is coming up on September 28th,” Oak Grove Tourism's Britnee Ohman said. “This is our 11th annual celebration, and it will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 4 o'clock we will do a live release of more than 1,400 butterflies, our biggest release ever.” Ohman says this event will feature a good selection of food vendors in addition to all the activities, games, and fun things to do.

“We will have all types of arts and crafts,” Ohman said. “The kids can paint ceramics, make face masks, and create their own bookmarks and door hangers.

“We also have a Bubble Zone, where kids can make giant bubbles that are big enough to actually get inside. There will also be a laser tag area, face-painting, and a balloon artist, and the human gyroscope. It's a machine you sit in, and they spin you in all different directions. It's a wild ride.”

The butterflies that are released at the festival will immediately start their long journey towards Mexico.

There will be two stage shows at this year's festival, a dog stunt-show featuring The Canine Stars, and comedy/ ventriloquist Steve Brogan. There will be three performances by each act throughout the course of the day.

The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show is described as, “educational entertainment that features internationally renowned extreme dog sport trainers and their dogs. Thrilling audiences with non-stop action, and inspiring pet adoption with [their] rescue dogs.” Information about their performance can be found at www.thecaninestars.com.

Steve Brogan is a professional comedian and ventriloquist who has made nationally televised appearances on PBS, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, to name a few. For information, go to www. stevebroganco.com.

“The area from the Viceroy gate to the middle of the park will contain all the activities, games, and food vendors,” Ohman said. “The butterfly release will take place in an area that runs between the Viceroy gate and the berm. There is no charge for the activities, admission to the event, or parking. It's all free. But, I would recommend arriving early.

Ohman says, this time of year coincides with the Monarch's seasonal migration patterns. The butterflies that are released at the festival will immediately start their long journey towards Mexico. There will be butterfly experts on site to answer questions, and share information.

“Depending on the weather, we typically see 5,000 – 6,000 people during the course of the day. Many come just for the butterfly release, but the kids have so much fun in the arts and crafts area as well. We hope families will choose to make a whole day of it.”

“This is a unique event that doesn't break the bank,” Ohman said. “It's something fun to do with the entire family, and all of our stage shows are kid friendly, so it's completely appropriate for all ages.

We also have an area called Stroller Square. It's a shaded area that has a tent with netting to keep the bugs away. It's filled with toys for toddlers to play with, and it's out of the sun.

“The Butterfly House is a magical place where kids can actually touch and interact with live butterflies, and then we have the Insect Roadshow, and a master

gardeners group, both from the University of Kentucky. They will be on site sharing information with kids of all ages.”

Ohman reiterated her love for the event.

Festival Director, Britnee Ohman

“This really is a unique event,” she said. “We are proud to have won awards for Best Children's Programming and Best Educational Programming, because this is about families. It's a great opportunity to learn some things, and have fun while you're at it. I would love to see as many families as possible come out and enjoy this great day.

“And, the butterfly release itself is always amazing. We always read a Native American poem just before we let them go. It's a beautiful sight to see, that many butterflies in one area. When they are first released they land on you and you can interact with them. It really is an unforgettable experience.”

For more information on the Butterfly Festival, the Spring Into Summer Festival, or other events at Viceroy Performing Arts Center and Valor Hall, go to www. visitoakgroveky.com, or Butterfly festival – Oak Grove Ky on Facebook.