Minneapolis Monarch Festival

From Minneapolis Monarch Festival Website:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, are proud to announce the 2014 Minneapolis Monarch Festival to be held at the Nokomis Naturescape on September 6.

The festival offers everything from food, to music, education and art, highlighting the Minnesota - Mexico connection that the Monarch butterfly creates along its migration path.

We'll have another exciting stage line up for 2014. We know the the hugely popular Kalpulli KetzalCoatilcue Aztec Dance group will return, performing in their spectacular native Aztec costume.

Also returning will be the portable dance stage with dance instructors teaching guests new dance moves.

We'll have Art Activities, of course.

We are working hard to bring you Monarch butterflies. This past year has been disasterous for the migration, and the butterflies are in short supply--all are needed in nature to replenish the stock. Last year, citizen volunteers collected eggs and raised butterflies at home for the Festival. We are hoping fpor this to work again this year. Last year, all were released to begin their amazing 2,300 mile migration from Lake Nokomis to the mountains of Michoacn Mexico where they will spend the winter.

The Kids Butterfly Fun Runs, will return.

Food will be available from even more vendors this year. Sweet Berry Kitchen, new to the Festival last year, was a hit with their pitchers of ice-cold lemonade.

Every year, the Festival takes place alongside the Nokomis Naturescape, comprised of a variety of native grass and wildflower gardens which have been certified nationally as a Monarch Waystation. The gardens contain annual and perennial plants that provide habitat and food sources that are essential to the survival of monarch butterflies.