Lake Katherine Announces Return Of Monarch Celebration

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — Before the monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for the winter, they’ll be making a stop at Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens’ for the annual Monarch Celebration in Palos Heights. Last year’s monarch celebration was canceled due to the pandemic.

Instead of one day, the 2021 Monarch Celebration will be held over two days, Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, to allow safely allow more people to experience the magic of walking through a tent with hundreds of fluttering monarchs. Attendees can sign up for 15-minute slots to experience the tents both days, until 4:30 p.m.

There will be no general admission to the event this year. The grounds will be open, but sections will be cordoned off for those that book their entry to the event. Secure your timed entry slot by on the Lake Katherine website or calling 708-361-1873. Without advanced booking, day of entry to the tent is not guaranteed. Registration will be open soon.

“We believe these changes, while changing the feel of the event, will provide a more intimate butterfly experience and a greater focus on the importance of the monarch butterfly to the health of our planet, without the long line’s festival attendees have come to expect,” the nature and botanic center said in a news release.

Additional activities will include educational displays, crafts, live animals and hayrides. More information to come.

Over the past 20 years the monarch population has diminished from a billion to 30 million largely because of habitat destruction. Monarch caterpillars feed and lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, but the colorful flower is rapidly disappearing from the countryside due to the overuse of herbicides and decline of the native prairie.

Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Center is located at 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights.