The Bug Pavilion at Mt. Magazine's Butterfly Festival XIV attracted hundreds of children this year.  Thanks to the efforts of author, interpreter, and entomologist Lori Spencer, this year was a huge success with more arts and crafts for the children, day and evening programs,  and an afternoon and evening concert for children and adults.

Some of the crafts were seeds to plant in peat pots they could color,  books with bug word mazes and crossword puzzles, paper towel binoculars,  butterfly keychains made from beads, and butterfly stenciled banners. Games like Brushfoot Bingo and Insectigation combined a lot of fun with education.

These crafts  were free but did need volunteers to assist and answer questions.  Interpreters from Hobbs State Park and Devil's Den State Park were some of the interpreters that came up to help out along with River Valley Master Naturalists Larry and Debbie and Central Arkansas Master Naturalists (CAMN) Linda and Martha.

While the weather on the flatland was hot and more hot, it was slightly more comfortable on the mountain top where a breeze blew all day and temperatures were about 10 degrees cooler.

 CAMN Martha and CAMN Linda took an early morning hike the second day of the festival.  

While Linda was looking out for bears, Martha was photographing butterflies.   Being able to see both the male (left)  and female (right) Diana Fritillary was a thrill for both Martha and Linda. 

  Many other butterflies entertained everyone by fluttering around the monarda near the pavilion, lodge and visitor's center.