NEW Monarch Festival format for 2023!

The new Festival is a 2 hour event repeated over 6 days (Reservations REQUIRED: Adults $7; Kids $3.50; infants (non-walkers) are free. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.)

Each session will begin with presentations to all guests :
* All About Monarchs - Learn about the Monarch life-cycle, migration, and tagging. We'll have tagging demonstrations featuring newly-emerged butterflies (IF we have any) in our monarch rearing tent.
* Monarch Migration Lesson - for kids (audience participation, on our "Gathering Rock")
* Milkweed - how to grow it and other plants the monarchs need.
* Story Time - kids gathering to hear readings of butterfly-themed books.

Every family will receive a gift bag with milkweed seeds and planting instructions, coupons to Tanglewood Hollow and Hazel Moon Botanicals, Monarch book author contacts, pollinator seeds, info on where to buy native plants, and much more! You'll have the tools and resources you need to help the monarchs and pollinators.

Options for "free time":
* Pollinator Meadow - Explore at your own pace, or take a guided tour along the paths to observe pollinators at work and find native milkweeds and fall nectar plants growing here.
* Monarch Festival Photo Booth
* Games for kids - the Metamorphosis Relay and Migration Frisbee Game. Adults can play too!!
* Pick-Your-Own Flowers
* Walk and read along the "Tale Trail"
* "Ask A Master Gardener" Booth
* Visit our Farm Stand Porch Shop
* Take a Hike - Walk our two brookside labyrinths, stroll through the gardens, or hike 2 miles of woodland trails.

** More details AND reservations (REQUIRED) at https://petalsinthepines.com/monarch-festival

The news about Monarch Butterflies this year continues to be discouraging--but the 11th Annual NH Monarch Festival will provide hands-on tools and expert advice on how families can sustain and improve habitat for migrating Monarchs and other vital pollinators, all while giving kids fun ways to celebrate and learn about these amazing creatures.

In spite of more 25 years of efforts across the U.S. by citizen scientists and communities to provide more milkweed habitat for their annual migration, the monarch butterfly population is not "out of the woods" yet. The bad news is that the total forest area occupied by Monarchs overwintering in Mexico decreased by 22% from last year, to the second lowest level since 2014. For perspective, the entire population could fit within Petals in the Pines' 7.5 acres--with room to spare. The NH Monarch Festival, held annually at Petals in the Pines in Canterbury since 2013, focuses on increasing public awareness of the Monarch’s plight, and ways to help them.

(LIMITED SPACE for each session: Reserve/Pay Online IN ADVANCE)

DATES & TIMES:
Fridays, Aug. 25 & Sep. 8 - 1:15-3:30 PM
Saturdays, Aug. 26 & Sep. 9 - 9:15-11:30 and 1:15-3:30
Sundays, Aug. 27 & Sep. 10 - 1:15-3:30

COST:
Adults $7; Kids $3.50; infants (non-walkers) free.
Kids must be accompanied by an adult
Neither physical nor e-tickets will be issued (but you will receive a confirmation). Please sign-in with Donna or Jim upon arrival.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISITORS:
1. Hiking on the trails is best done in closed-toed shoes. (May be slippery)
2. Kids (and adults) who wish to wear butterfly wings/costumes are encouraged to do so!
3. NO pets, please!
4. The Festival will be held RAIN OR SHINE. In the event of downpours or thunderstorms during your time slot, that session will be cancelled, and your money will be refunded. A cancellation decision and email notification will be made 2 hours prior to start time.