The Monarchs in the Park festival is celebrating its five-year anniversary with the theme “Fly High ‘25,” inviting the community to learn, celebrate and help protect vital pollinators.
The festival began in 2019 as a collaboration between then-Ward 5 Councilmember Sereta Wilson and Vonceil Harmon with Oklahoma Department of Transportation Biological Survey, along with a few others. Organizers wanted to raise awareness of monarch butterflies because the species was close to being listed as endangered at the time.
While the monarch butterfly population has fluctuated over the past decade, there has been a decline in average occupied space. The western monarch butterfly population has seen a steep decline with no increases whereas eastern monarchs have made a comeback and their numbers have increased. Efforts to help both species are still seen as critical.
“The goal was to provide that awareness about pollinators and the monarch specifically and ways that the public could help protect our pollinators,” said Michele Loudenback, the environmental and sustainability manager for the city of Norman.
The festival also highlights the monarchs’ habitat loss and chemicals that contribute to the population’s decline. Katrina Boteler, environmental compliance specialist for the city of Norman, said pesticides and herbicides used to kill weeds and plants can also harm butterflies and other pollinators.
“So it's important that we communicate and say, ‘Hey, we need to stop doing these things,’” Boteler said. “Or if we are going to continue, read the label on the pesticide and herbicide bottle. Don't spray it before a rain event if you know it's coming. Read the label.”
Boteler said that it’s important to own native plants to supply pollinators with sources to produce honey and nectar as well as encourage their survival.
There will be over 30 vendors in attendance, all of which were asked to reduce their plastic use and waste. There will also be face painting, kite flying, a parade, live performances, environmental experts and more. Shirts designed by Dane Heins will be available for sale.
The festival will be from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at Legacy Park. Sponsors, vendors and other festival information can be found online.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Tori Pham, Larkin Bock and Gretchen Schultz copy edited this story.
