Earlier this year, the Black Swallowtail Butterfly was named the official state butterfly of New Jersey. In honor of this designation, the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association is “Celebrating the Swallowtail” at their 16th annual Watershed Butterfly Festival. The event, held on the 930 acre Watershed Reserve in Pennington, New Jersey is scheduled for Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Watershed Butterfly Festival welcomes over 3,000 visitors every summer to tour the Kate Gorrie Butterfly house and the LEED-platinum Watershed Center, and to participate in the many activities hosted throughout the grounds. Attendees this year are invited to join a Guinness World Record attempt for gathering the most people wearing butterfly wings. Parents and children can attend the butterfly and bug parade, hay rides, nature walks, insect zoo, and crafts for all ages. New this year are juggling demonstrations, an aerial acrobatics show, butterfly stilt walkers, and the Dunkin’ Donuts Cruiser which is giving out free iced coffee samples. There will also be a dog agility show, glitterhoops, spin art, and plenty of local food.

Shuttle parking for the Butterfly Festival is provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb across the street from the Watershed Reserve (access from Titus Mill Road). Discount admission to the festival can be found online at thewatershed.org. Entry is free for new members signing up at the festival. There is no smoking permitted on the premises and only service animals are admitted. Call (609) 737-3735 ext 30 for handicapped access and service animal permission. Visit www.thewatershed.org to learn more.

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