By Sally Hedberg
Special to the Town Crier
If you love butterflies, you won’t want to miss the annual Butterfly Daze extravaganza held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Idyllwild Nature Center, 25225 Highway 243. Come prepared to learn all about butterflies and join 100 monarchs as you step into the pavilion to feed the butterflies a piece of watermelon.
This is how it works. Come to the Nature Center and pay the entrance fee: adults $4, children under age 12, $3 and dogs on leash, $1. There are no further charges for the event unless one “adopts” a butterfly for $3. The butterfly crafts, special airbrush tattoos and balloon animals are free. The best deal is to buy a $30 family membership for the year that allows the family to use the Nature Center any time without further entrance fees.
At 1 p.m., local photographer and author Bruce Watts will present a show in the auditorium on butterflies and wildflowers specific to the San Jacinto Mountain region. Watts is in the process of writing a book on this subject.
There will be educational materials and a butterfly expert to explain the cycle of a butterfly and answer questions. Before entering the pavilion, each person must name one fact about butterflies. Many want to know how the Nature Center collects the butterflies. Come to Butterfly Daze and find out. For more information, call 951-659-3850.
