Mariposa Butterfly Festival Event Information

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This page will be updated with information as we get it!

Mariposa Butterfly Festival

"Mariposa" is the Spanish word for Butterfly. This year the Butterfly Festival will begin on Friday, April 30th and continue through the weekend of May 1^st & 2^nd, 2010. Mariposa celebrates its namesake at the towns Annual Butterfly Festival. The festival is a fun filled family weekend that includes live butterfly releases, a parade, Art & Artisan show and live entertainment. There are also many other family friendly events throughout the weekend. The Butterfly Festival Committee is busily preparing for the upcoming 2010 festival and we would love to have you join us!

This year we plan to have many classrooms involved in raising butterflies to be released as part of the festivities. The process of raising the butterflies is not only a science lesson for all the children involved, it also can be a life lesson to teach the children about changes in life. Sometimes children feel small and they might not always feel beautiful, but we want them to see that, like a caterpillar who turns into a butterfly, they can be just as beautiful.

The butterflies are also raised by many other local people. The raising of the butterflies has become a community event. You will see butterfly pavilions in county and state offices, as well as retail businesses, restaurants, hotels and even private homes.

Parking is not a problem for the Butterfly Festival event. The 'Butterfly Shuttle' will be provided to run a circuit through the Mariposa town area from Highway 49N to Hwy 49S. Stops will be at designated parking locations and the festival events. The shuttle will run on both Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. That means that parking for the parade and all other venues should be much easier. You are advised, to give yourself plenty of time in advance, to be at a pick up location before the scheduled time for both the Parade and the Butterfly Releases. Also be aware that the last shuttle will run through 5 p.m., so if you are planning to see the evening entertainment you will need to make arrangements to get to your vehicle at the end of the night. Parking areas and stops will be marked with bright yellow butterfly signs. The ride is free but you are encouraged to tip the driver.

Friday the events starts with the Chalk Art Festival, at the Mariposa County Arts Park. Adults and children spend time and talent creating beautiful butterfly designs on the Mariposa Creek Walkway. At 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. there will be butterfly releases by some of the local school children.

On Friday evening there will be a opening reception for the festival. The Butterfly Festival Committee will host "Taste of Mariposa". This part of the festival has grown in popularity over the years making it necessary to host this years "Taste of Mariposa" at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. This is where you can try a sampling of the local restaurant fare. During the reception there is a Butterfly Hat Contest. This contest provides beauty and a lot of laughs as competitors model their hats and are judged for their creativity.

Saturday morning begins with a Strawberry Waffle Breakfast (at 7 a.m.) sponsored by the local American Legion. The Art & Artisan Show in the Mariposa County Arts Park opens (at 9 a.m.) for shopping and (at 11 a.m.) the “Winged Wonder Parade” meanders through downtown Mariposa. After the parade, The Katerpillar Kids Area opens with fun educational, crafts and play activities for the children. Later in the afternoon there will be a skateboard demonstration and competition in the Skate Park located in the Mariposa County Park.

Sunday begins with a sunrise service in the Arts Park (7:30 a.m.), which will be followed by the Art & Artisan Show (at 10 a.m.), butterfly releases and more live music throughout the day.

Mariposa hopes you will consider being a part of our exciting event! If you would like more information on the Mariposa Butterfly Festival please contact Trish at the Company Store at (209) 966-3232 0r you can Email ButterflyFestival@sti.net .

Updated:

Butterfly Festival Shuttle Stops and Public Parking Areas

The Mariposa Butterfly Festival is providing a 'Free Shuttle' during the Festival Weekend

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

The Butterfly Shuttle will have stops in the following locations:

Social Service Office on Hwy 49N near Hwy 140

Rest Area Behind History Center

12^th and Bullion (Court House)

10^th and Jones

8th Street and Jones (High School)

8^th and Bullion

7^th and Bullion

6^th and Bullion

4^th and Hwy 140/49

5^th and Hwy 140/49

6^th and Stroming Road

Mariposa County Park

Public Parking is in the following locations:

Social Services Office (Hwy 49N near 140)

Rest Area Behind History Center (Hwy 140/49 &12^th Street)

Between 11^th and 12^th on Charles Street

Government Center off Bullion up 11^th

Jones Street between 12^th and 10^th

High School Parking Lot at end of 8^th Street

7^th Street at Bullion

6^th Street between 140/49 and Bullion

6^th Street between 140/49 and Stroming

Stroming Road off 6^th Street

Mariposa County Park

**Parking will be Available in all Public Lots Excluding:
Parts of the Mariposa County Courthouse & the Entire 5^th Street Parking Lot (Below Pizza Factory)

Butterfly Festival - Parking & Driving Directions
***Free Shuttle from all Lots to Activities***
PARKING – South to North with Access from Hwy 140

Public Lots - From Hwy 140 (South to North)
Right on 6th Behind Coast Hardware
Corner of 7th and Bullion St. - Right on 6th; Left on Bullion
Left on 6th to Bottom of Hill @ Stroming and 6th
County Park - Left on 6th, Right on Stroming, Left on County Park Rd.
Right on 11th to Government Center Lot
Right on 12th behind Red Fox
Rest Area at Mariposa History Center - Left on 12th; at Jessie/Coakley Circle
Mariposa Human Services - Parking lot Hwy 49N at 49er Center
At Cemetery - Hwy 140 to 49N; Left to Joe Howard Rd. by Rite Aid
Mariposa High School - Right on 8th to High School

Private Businesses
Sierra Telephone - At corner of 140 and 11th St.
WestAmerica Bank - [ATM] Hwy 140 & 13th St.
Yosemite Bank - [ATM] Hwy 140 & 49 North
VFW Hall & InterCounty Title - Hwy 140 to Jones (Stop Sign) Right to Bullion