Elkhart Celebrates the Opening of the “Elkhart Monarch Flyway” with a Day of Activities on June 12

 

[June 07, 2021] 

The Village of Elkhart will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new “Elkhart Monarch Flyway” Native Plant and Pollinator Habitat - and celebrate the opening with a day of family-friendly activities - on Saturday, June 12.

Village of Elkhart Spring Event - schedule of activities June 12, 2021 - Pdf

The habitat, at the corner of Historic Route 66 and Governor Oglesby Street in Elkhart, will open to the public after a brief ceremony at 9:45 a.m. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. several activities are scheduled in the Village. At the Flyway, enjoy a tour of the native plants and an opportunity to receive a free Native Plant Kit (while supplies last). Also at the habitat location, there will be a photo opportunity with a giant six foot monarch butterfly. The event will encourage attendees to experience a different opportunity – involving nature and plants - on Illinois’ Route 66 Scenic Byway and the Route 66 Monarch Flyway.


In historic downtown Elkhart on Governor Oglesby Street the Butterfly Lady Rhonda Brady (“Miss Mariposa”) will park her bus – a colorful mobile classroom and greenhouse on wheels. At the Country Bumpkin shop, visitors can see a DVD about butterflies. Throughout the downtown area, craft tables will be set up for pollinator themed kid-friendly activities. There will be fun food vendors serving mini donuts, corn dogs Clark’s Kettle Corn, and Kona ice.
 

All businesses in historic downtown will be open: Horsefeathers and Wild Hare Café, The Country Bumpkin, Birdsong Books and Vintage, Route 66 Model Raceway, Gina’s Talk of the Town, Richardson Repair Service, and UCB.

Multiple garage sales will be held throughout the Village on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12. In case of bad weather, event activites will be at the ECC Building on Gillette Street in Elkhart. CDC event guidelines will be followed for the safety of attendees.

Please join the Village of Elkhart as they celebrate another great addition to their already history-rich and tourist friendly community. Sponsors include: Conn’s Hospitality Group, Inc., Elkhart Grain Co., Hudson Real Estate Agency, Illinois Monarch Project, Illinois Native Plant Society, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Meijer, and the Village of Elkhart Board.

Donations to help with the habitat can be made to: Village of Elkhart, Attn: Habitat Project, PO Box 20, Elkhart, IL 62634.

[Peggy Lee]