By News Reporter Gabby Cedano
Nature, education and family fun are coming together once again as the Oak Grove Tourism Commission presents its 17th annual Butterfly Festival on September 6.
Held at Oak Grove War Memorial Walking Trail Park, the festival is one-of-a-kind in the region and is set to have new and returning activities.
Commission Executive Director, Traci Cunningham, says she is excited to announce a new partnership with the Directorate of Public Works at Fort Campbell, creating an even bigger experience for families and nature enthusiasts. Traditionally, Fort Campbell hosts its Public Lands Day around the same time as the festival. This year, they are joining forces, adding engaging, hands-on educational activities.
The expanded festival will feature around 10 interactive booths focused on environmental education and family fun. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s seed game, Quail Forever demonstrations and Fort Campbell’s Bird Beak Buffet are a few of the educational activities. From conservation to biodiversity, each station will bring science and sustainability to life for children and adults alike.
In addition to these new features, the festival will continue its traditions—most notably the live butterfly release, where families can watch 2,600 of butterflies take flight together. Before that happens, they have to keep the butterflies asleep, then slowly put them in the cage for release. The next day the staff has to start warming them up to get them fluttery in time for the 4 p.m. release.
Cunningham says the festival continues to grow each year and they’re always looking for ways to make it even more magical. From the butterfly release, to the Agri-Puppets Show and the partnership with Fort Campbell, Cunningham says she believes this will be their most interactive and unforgettable festival yet.
The Butterfly Festival is free to attend and welcomes visitors from across the region. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts and a wide range of activities.
Oak Grove’s Butterfly Festival will be held on September 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about the festival is available at visitoakgroveky.com.