Tips for the Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens

August means Powell Gardens' Festival of Butterflies! Our family looks forward to the festival every year where we delight in the magic of enjoying hundreds of beautiful butterflies, from those native to Missouri to tropical species. Caterpillars, chrysalis, some emerging (how exciting it was to watch monarchs emerge from their chrysalis this year), and adult butterflies abound at this truly magical event. This year, the festival celebrates their 20th Anniversary with more butterflies and moths than ever before.

Our family LOVES butterflies, my oldest daughter has been studying and enjoying them from day one... having many butterfly birthdays over the years. We never tire of seeing them in person (we have visited the Butterfly Palace in Branson, the Butterfly House at the Henry Doorly Zoo of Omaha, the Butterfly House at the St. Louis Zoo, and our favorite Sophia Sachs Butterfly House in St. Louis). Still, we always look forward to the Festival of Butterflies and my oldest daughter was so excited she counted down the days on her calendar in anticipation! 

Tip: Powell Gardens members receive free or discounted admission to other botanical gardens across America - including the Sophia M Sach Butterfly House in St. Louis!

During the festival, we try to visit on Friday or Sunday if possible (Saturday is fun too - and we have attended on Saturday before - however, for smaller crowds your best bet is Friday, then Sunday, but go with the crowds if Saturday is your only option - it is still worth it!).

The Festival includes children's activities, crafts, and exhibits, but the highlight would have to be the butterfly breezeways. You will have the chance to walk through the Butterfly Breezeway where you'll see butterflies native to Missouri. The Black Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail, and Zebra Swallowtail are the favorites for my girls in this exhibit. You can also walk through the Butterfly Conservatory where up to 500 tropical butterflies and moths are on display including Blue Morphos, Luna Moths, Atlas Moths, and White Morphos. Upon entering the Conservatory you are provided with a photo chart to help identify the various species. And, you can also explore the Monarch Watch Breezeway where children are taught how to gently hold monarchs (many land on people - including in the hair and on clothing), may have a chance to watch a monarch emerge from a chrysalis (we were fortunate to see this happen many times), and learn more about monarchs and their conservation.

Throughout the festival you'll see displays and educational guides on butterflies, their life cycle, what they eat, how to plant butterfly gardens and more. Other interesting experiences included "The Cat Room" where dozens of caterpillars were on display, the multipurpose room where children could participate in crafts, and the youth tent where children could catch and release butterflies and participate in educational activities. My girls also enjoyed the caterpillar hunt where they learned about five types of caterpillars among the gardens.

In addition to the festival attractions, we enjoyed exploring the gardens themselves and the girls enjoyed the Jurassic Gardens exhibit.

My girls always have such a great time, they ask to attend as many events during the festival as possible. The volunteers and staff at Powell Gardens are extremely knowledgeable and able to answer our many questions. The activities are interactive and engaging. And, the memories are priceless! The Festival of Butterflies is one of our family's favorite summer traditions - a definite must-see in KC!

Tips:

• You may see the butterflies all week at Powell Gardens, but festival events occur only on the weekend. Click for more Festival of Butterflies tips and info.
• Picnics are only permitted in designated areas. You may purchase food at Cafe Thyme Indoor Cafe and Outdoor Grill, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily or at reFresh: Drinks and Light Bites from the Garden, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Heartland Harvest Garden.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes - you will do a lot of walking!
• Bring the camera.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Bring water (there are drinking fountains and places to purchase drinks as well).
• Children may play in the fountain, bring swim suits / towels.
• NOTE: Touching butterflies only happens during special events like the Evening events and in the Monarch Breezeway.

Festival Schedule: August 5-7 and 12-14, 2016

Festival Admission: $12/adults, $10/seniors 60+, $5/children ages 5 through 12, FREE/children 4 and under. Festival admission includes parking, trolley service and access to all of Powell Gardens.

Friday-Sunday

• 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Children's Activities: Free activities include a caterpillar hunt, catch-and-release, costume parade at 11 a.m. and make-and-take antennae headbands. Fee-based activities include butterfly wings ($3), paint-a-pot with planting kit ($4), face painting ($3) and temporary tattoos ($1).
• Photography Exhibit: Featuring Jim Rathert, owner of Jim Rathert Photography, and Charles and Jeanine Wilson, owners of Wilsons' Natural Photography. 
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Trolley Service (included with festival admission) 
• 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Storytelling with Ms. Frizzle (presented by Dawnna Morris, The Fancy Storyteller)
• 11 a.m. Caterpillar Float and Costume Parade 

Saturdays Only

• 2 p.m. August 6 Fresh Bites with Barb the Gardener: Homemade Ice Cream with Tad Davis, owner of Tadley's Homemade Ice Cream (Missouri Barn) 

9 a.m.-2 p.m. August 13 Solar Cooking Demonstration by Paula Winchester. Stop by the Missouri Barn throughout the day for samples and catch her special photo presentation on solar cooking in Ghana at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Sundays Only 

• 2 p.m. August 7 Garden Chef Series Cooking Demonstration by Jasper Mirabile Jr., Chef/Owner of Jasper's Restaurant in Kansas City, Mo. 

2016 Evening Events 

Spend an evening with the butterflies and experience the "night life" at Powell Gardens: 

• 7-10 p.m. Saturday, August 6: Night Flights: An Evening Escape (SOLD OUT) (21 and older)--Enjoy a guided experience in the butterfly conservatory; a wine tasting from 8-8:30 p.m. with Doug Frost, Kansas City based wine consultant and one of only four people in the world to hold both the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles; light bites; music and more. Prepaid reservations are required and can be made here or by calling 816-697-2600 x209. Space is limited. 
• 7-9 p.m. Saturday, August 13: Family Night--An Evening with the Butterflies (all ages)--Each ticket includes a guided experience in the butterfly conservatory, one serving of Tadley's homemade ice cream, storytelling with Ms. Frizzle (presented by Dawnna Morris) and a make-and-take craft. Prepaid reservations required. Tickets are available here or by calling 816-697-2600 x209. Space is limited. 

Festival of Butterflies Photos:

2016 Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden

1. Palamedes Swallowtail 2. Scarlet Mormon Swallowtail (male and female) 3. Golden Birdwing 4. Emerald Swallowtail 5. Paper Kite 6. Pipevine Swallowtail 7. Magnificent Swallowtail 8. Whitened Bluewing 9. Red Rim 10. Stoplight Catone 11. Mexican Bluewing 12. Sara Heliconian 13. Doris Heliconian 14. Dot-bordered Heliconian 15. Cattleheart Swallowtail 16. Postman 17. Malachite 18. Tiger Heliconian 19. Blue Morpho 20. Gulf Fritillary 21. Zebra Heliconian 22. White Peacock 23. Monarch 24. Cloudless Sulphur 25. Great Southern White 26. African Moon Moth 27. Owl Butterfly 28. Julia Heliconian 29. Painted Lady 30. Queen 31. Common Buckeye 32. Orange-barred Sulphur 33. Atala