Traveling butterfly exhibit returns to Norma Johnson Center
DOVER (WJER) (July 5, 2023) – The Norma Johnson Center is inviting everyone to stop by for an up-close look at some of nature’s most colorful pollinators.
The popular traveling butterfly exhibit that the center hosts each summer is back under the picnic shelter along Conservation Drive for the next 10 days, through July 16th. TuscParks Education and Programming Director Marsha Freeland says it’s staffed seven days a week during select hours and features an enclosure where you can feed and interact with native Ohio butterflies.
“We are under a shelter so if it is raining you can still come because we are going to still be here and the activities are going to keep coming as long as we’re not getting severe weather.”
The enclosure and its inhabitants come from All A Flutter in Port Washington. It’s owned and operated by Fran LeMasters, who will also have some caterpillars and chrysalis so visitors can learn about the different life stages.
“It’s always a surprise but I’m assuming there are going to be Painted Ladies, Monarchs, Questions Marks, Commas… Last year, she had some Zebra Tails and Swallow Tails and she also had some Morning Cloaks, and those are usually the ones and then we get a bonus here and there.”
It’s the 12th year for the exhibit that will also have a free butterfly-themed craft and merchandise for sale, including take-home chrysalis kits so families can witness the transformation from home.
“I believe this is a tradition for many people. A lot of times we get kids that have come here for many years and now they’re volunteering so they can help with the younger kids and hopefully create the passion that we did when they were younger.”
Butterfly exhibit hours are weekdays and Saturdays from 10 to 4 and Sundays from noon to 4, again through July 16th. There’s no admission cost but donations and Travel Tusc tickets are accepted. Freeland says the free tickets come from the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which will provide financial support to the center based on how many get redeemed there.