2011 Monarch Festival

This year, the Minneapolis Monarch Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept 10, at Lake Nokomis. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association and Community Celebration of Place invite you to join us at the Festival to learn about our state’s official butterfly – the Monarch.

Last year, an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 guests and volunteers helped nearly 400 live Monarch butterflies start their amazing 2,300 mile migration from Minnesota to the mountains of Michoacán Mexico. The Festival highlights this Minnesota – Mexico connection with with cross-cultural food, music, dance, habitat awareness and art.

Specialists from native plant vendors will be on-hand to explain and sell Monarch-friendly garden plants. Enjoy guided prairie-garden tours, canoe rides on Lake Nokomis, and monarch-inspired art and games. Back by popular demand, the steamroller operated by ArtOrg (last year’s photos) and Grupo Soap del Corazon, will roll over special print blocks created by kids to make individual butterfly artwork.

There will be performances by Mariachi Mi Tierra, the Javier Trejo Trio (Mexican/Americana), Larry Long (American Folk), the Tropical Zone Orchestra (Salsa), KetzalCoatlicue (Aztec Dance), Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca (Traditional dance), Larrie Yazzie (Native American Fancy Dance) and Batak (Fusion Jazz).

For more information: http://www.monarchfestival.org/