GREAT BEND – Spread your wings and introduce your family to the fun of butterflies at the Kansas Wetland Education Center’s Butterfly Festival, Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. From making milkweed seed bombs to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during this free event. New this year, kids and adults can try their hand at silk spinning, using actual silk moth cocoons, a process that is thousands of years old.

Nets and tags will be available for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for monarch butterflies.

Weather permitting, an exhibit bee hive will be on display in the insect zoo in addition to giant walking stick insects, hissing and peppered cockroaches, and butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises. 

Participants can also play in the mud and make a take-home seed bomb, composed of clay, compost, water and seeds; take photos at the monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards; create a unique caterpillar and butterfly in the craft section; and refuel with light refreshments and drinks.

Butterfly milkweed plants, with growing instructions, will be available at no cost to those who would like to encourage monarchs in their yards and gardens. Prizes will be given away at noon.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center is located at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, 592 NE K156 Hwy, and offers a unique look at the wetland’s history and conservation value.

For more information on this event and the education center, call 1-877-243-9268, or visit wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.

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