On Sept. 7, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Festival de la Monarca of East Chicago will celebrate monarch butterfly heritage with a family-friendly event featuring traditional performances, crafts and educational activities.
The event will transform Kosciuszko Park into a vibrant stage for butterfly releases, music, food, dance and Mexican culture. Attendees can enjoy a vibrant mix of cultural festivities while learning about the crucial role of monarchs and their conservation.
“This has been one of the favorite events for people in the area,” said Joel Perez, project director for TNC and a founder of the festival.
Monarch butterflies’ migration pattern is symbolic in areas in Mexico, where the monarch overwinters. The butterflies will fly south from the U.S. and land mainly in Michoacán, more than 2,000 miles away. Many of the area residents believe that this return of the butterflies is symbolic of their ancestor’s souls coming home.
“The people that come to the festival that have ties to Michoacán, the newer generation, may not have ties that are as strong, but it’s a way that they can truly connect with their culture,” Perez said.
The event will highlight this heritage and life cycle through dance performances, bands, butterfly releases, activities for children and community conservation resources. It is intended to be a mix of education and celebration, with hikes to a nearby conservation area and raffles to entertain the participants.
“When we first started thinking about the festival, we knew it was really important to meet people where they were,” Perez said. “At The Nature Conservancy we have preserves all over, but this is one example where we come to (the people) in their environment.”
Perez expects 500-600 attendees this year and hopes the festival continues to grow in the future. For more information, visit nature.org/en-us. To view the full schedule of performances and activities, visit facebook.com/ECmonarchfestival.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
