MARIPOSA — The annual Mariposa Butterfly Festival party will kick off on Friday night in downtown Mariposa with lots of live music and local art. Then Saturday will be an awesome parade on Main Street. After the parade, drive or take the free bus to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds where you will be treated to a classic car and truck show, Jurassic Mariposa (with giant dinosaurs and tarantulas), and Habitat Row.
But wait, there’s more! There will also be dozens of artisans showing off their latest creations, skydiving, acrobatics, live music, and of course lots of great fair food. And don’t forget about the thousands of butterflies you can get to know. It’s going to be a great time for the entire family, so we’ll see you there!
Dates & Times
- Main Street in downtown Mariposa kicks off the festivities on Friday, May 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.
- The Butterfly Festival Parade starts downtown on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m.
- The Butterfly Festival opens at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
- The Butterfly Festival opens at the Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 7, at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for 12 and older.
Click here to purchase tickets online.
Check out the Mariposa Butterfly Festival on Facebook!
Top 10 Tips for Attracting More Butterflies to Your Yard
-
Plant butterfly-friendly flowers: Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers like zinnias, milkweed, marigolds, coneflowers, and butterfly bush.
- Choose the right location: Butterflies prefer sunny, open spaces with shelter from the wind. Choose a location in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight and is sheltered from strong winds.
- Provide a water source: Butterflies need water to drink, so provide them with a shallow dish or birdbath filled with water.
- Create a butterfly garden: Plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season to provide a continuous source of nectar for butterflies.
- Provide host plants: Many butterflies lay their eggs on specific host plants, so provide a variety of host plants for them to use, such as milkweed for monarch butterflies.
- Avoid pesticides: Pesticides can harm butterflies and other beneficial insects, so avoid using them in your yard.
-
Provide shelter: Butterflies need shelter from the wind and rain, so provide them with shelter by planting taller plants or placing a butterfly house in your yard.
- Add a fruit feeder: Butterflies are attracted to overripe fruit, so hang a fruit feeder in your yard filled with sliced fruit like oranges or bananas.
- Keep your yard tidy: Remove dead plants and debris from your yard, as they can attract pests that can harm butterflies and their host plants.
- Be patient: It may take some time for butterflies to find your yard and establish it as a feeding and breeding ground. Be patient and continue to provide a variety of resources for them.
Mariposa County Fairgrounds
5007 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
209-966-2432
Check out this short video about the Mariposa Butterfly Festival!