First Annual Put-in-Bay Monarch Fest

Did you know that Monarch butterflies migrate up to 3,000 miles every year across North America from their summer breeding grounds in the north to their overwintering home in Mexico? No matter your level of knowledge about butterfly migration, everyone is invited to join the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center (LEINWC) in celebrating the first ever Put-in-Bay Monarch Festival!

Monarch Fest will be hosted on Saturday September 14th, 2024 from 11am to 2pm at Duggan’s Field on Put-in-Bay. The field is located next to the South Bass Island Lighthouse, which will be open to the public for tours as well. The festival will feature a variety of activities, games, food and music that the whole family can enjoy. There will even be butterfly races for the kids with wings available! In addition to fun games and face painting, you can help LEINWC in our Monarch tagging efforts. There will be nets available that families can use to assist us with catching butterflies, then observe as we tag the Monarchs and help us send them on their way. This is part of a large Monarch tagging research effort that spans the continent from Canada to Mexico and significantly contributes to Monarch conservation efforts.

With the large-scale decline of pollinators across the United States, it is important to track these beautiful butterflies to keep population estimates up to date and understand their migratory pathways, which helps inform conservation efforts. Whether you are interested in helping catch butterflies or just looking to enjoy a good time with food and fun games, come visit Put-in-Bay and join the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center for Monarch Fest. Find more details and updates at lakeerieislandswildlife.com/monarch-fest For any inquiries about the festival, reach out via phone at 419-285-3037 or email at [email protected].