The annual Texas Butterfly Festival is being held Saturday through Tuesday at the National Butterfly Center in Mission. Stephanie Lopez, the center's executive director, said preparations are nearly complete. Rain is in the forecast, and the center is working on a contingency plan. She said the gardens look good and butterfly numbers are slowly increasing.
Visitors will also take part in field trips across the Valley to look for butterflies. John Yochum, a park ranger at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, said he will lead tours on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. He said several guides will be leading tours and that the Valley is divided into Upper, Lower and Middle Valley groups.
The festival starts Saturday with a community day at the National Butterfly Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lopez said the day will include arts and crafts and activities for kids and families. She said partners from state parks and other local nature centers are also expected to take part.