Hundreds of monarch butterflies could take flight in Windsor this weekend during the sixth annual Butterfly Festival.
The event runs Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. at the Via Italia Heritage Garden on Erie Street East.
Tagged monarch butterfly releases are planned for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with organizers also providing information on pollinator gardens, free milkweed seeds and displays highlighting the monarch life cycle.
Organizer Leo Silvestri says local butterfly enthusiasts raise monarchs at home and bring newly emerged butterflies to the festival to be tagged before release as part of the insects’ annual migration to Mexico.
“People do not see that many butterflies, let alone releasing them, you know, with their own hands. So that’s what makes us special, and I’m very proud of that,” Silvestri said.
He says over a million people across North America are involved in monarch conservation efforts, and this event has become a unique celebration.
“We are the only one, the only city that I know in all North America that do the butterfly festival by releasing actual home reared butterflies,” he said.
The festival has grown steadily over the past five years through social media and local conservation groups.
Silvestri says participation among monarch enthusiasts in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent continues to increase.
“We have over 150 people that live within five to 45 minutes driving distance, you know, like from here to Comber or Leamington. “We’re pretty happy,” he said.
Because butterfly emergence depends on weather and timing, organizers won’t know the final number of monarchs being released until the day of the festival.
Admission is free.