Butterflies in the Pass set for October 3
Special to The Pass Post
Butterflies in the Pass, the annual festival held in honor of the Monarch butterfly, will take place on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in War Memorial Park in Pass Christian.
The event will feature speakers, educational exhibits, hands on activities for all ages and a walking parade for anyone in butterfly regalia (including pets). The goal of the festival is to celebrate and educate the community about Monarch butterflies and other pollinators and what can be done to help them thrive.
Exhibitors at the festival will include Mississippi State Extension, Crosby Arboretum, Pass Christian Garden Club, Hancock and Harrison County Master Naturalists, Hancock County Master Gardeners, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Harrison and Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Beach Beekeepers Association, Mississippi State University Entomology Department Bug Blues, Harrison County Library System Outreach Van, Audubon Delta Coastal Stewardship, and the Pass Christian Public Library.
The festival is held in conjunction with the weekly Pass Christian Market in the Park, which will have butterfly-themed items for sale. Both events are free and open to the public.
Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, and butterfly-themed costumes are encouraged.
In the event of inclement weather, Butterflies in the Pass will be moved to the Pass Christian Library, which is located at 111 Hiern Avenue.
The 5th annual Butterfly Count will be conducted two days prior to the festival on October 1. Craig Marks, author of Louisiana Butterflies, will lead interested volunteers in learning how to identify and count butterflies. Those who wish to help should meet at the Pass Christian Library at 9:30 a.m. and will visit locations that have been “scouted” for potential butterflies. The count will continue until 3 p.m., but a full day commitment is not required.
Those who wish to participate are asked to wear boots or closed-toed shoes and bring water and snacks. Lunch, transportation and personal safety are the responsibilities of the participant.
For more information about either event, call the Pass Christian Public Library at 228-452-4596 or visit the event page on Facebook. War Memorial Park is located at Fleitas and Scenic Drive.
