Blooms & Butterflies

17Jun2023Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pmIt is time to CELEBRATE the return of the Blooms & Butterflies to our area at a fun, family-friendly event this Father’s Day weekend!! ECEC’s butterfly gardens and native plant park are the backdrops for this annual celebration. There’s something for everyone at our Garden & Art Festival.

The festivities start with the scenic 5K Butterfly Run / Walk along the river from 9 to 11 am. Dress up like a butterfly and enter the costume contest by 11:30 pm, you do not have to run to enter the costume contest, but running in costume is encouraged. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume, and in three runner categories.

Enjoy live music throughout day and shop our vendor’s home, art, eco-friendly & garden products. 

All event proceeds support ECEC’s programs. 

We hope you’ll join us!

Kids 18 and under can enjoy a free lunch from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Outpost Cafe! Adults can also purchase a meal at the event to support the event lunch fundraiser. The Outpost Cafe will be open from 9 am – 5 pm for baked goods, coffee drinks, and smoothies. 

We’re really pleased to be part of the Department of Education’s Summer Food Service Program this year to provide nutrition to young people while school is out. The Blooms and Butterflies festival is our kick-off for the program in Elkton, and we’ll keep it going throughout the summer in our student-run cafe. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Take a tour of historic Fort Umpqua and learn about the life cycle of native butterflies in the ECEC flight room. Find garden-themed presents in our Gift Shop and plants for your own backyard habitat in our Native Plant Nursery. Check out the Monarch Waystation plant display and enter to win a waystation planting package estimated at $100 value!