FlutterBy Festival Canceled

How much sponsorship does a children's art festival need? Why not just scale it back but keep it alive.

I just read in The Sun that the CAA and the TDC are not having the Flutterby Festival--the children's art festival to honor the migration of the Monarchs--this year.

Apparently there is no money for sponsorship.

This has been my granddaughter's favorite event since she was a baby...I can not believe it has been canceled. Abbee will be so disappointed and so I am I!

I understand a slow down in the economy is affecting us all--but why does it have to be the children's festival that is cut?:cry::cry:

The US and state economy is seriously in the ditch--moreso than many realize (or want to admit)--it's a good opportunity to teach the little tykes about the economy and finance.

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I don't disagree, Shel...but most of these little tykes are already learning a hard lesson...
my concern is what priority was used to cancel the festival...are we going to get something else comparable to Big Blue Signs at the expense of the festival for the kids...

It just makes me sad and angry on all kinds of levels:bang:

How much sponsorship does a children's art festival need? Why not just scale it back but keep it alive.

good question; and that is what bothers me the most. I don't recall a community "shout out" for sponsorships...so, who made the decision and what criteria did they use?

good question; and that is what bothers me the most. I don't recall a community "shout out" for sponsorships...so, who made the decision and what criteria did they use?

My bet: The Heads in Bed TDC Board Members

Flutterby Postponed until next year

Here is the press release announcing the postponement of this year's Flutterby Festival. The decision was made by the Cultural Arts Association Board and by me, Jennifer Steele Saunders, the newly appointed Executive Director, due to untimely funding cuts and other reasons beyond our control.

The TDC had given a marketing grant to Flutterby; they are not responsible for this decision. We thank the TDC and the community for their support and hope all will attend next year's Flutterby Festival.





[FONT=&quot]FLUTTERBY FESTIVAL TO MIGRATE EASTWARD DOWN 30-A[/FONT]


Santa Rosa Beach, FL - The Cultural Arts Association announces that the 2008 Flutterby Festival, an Autumn Tides event, will be postponed until next fall where it will find a new home at WaterColor’s Marina Park and be sponsored by The St. Joe Company’s WaterColor Inn & Resorts.


The Festival is scheduled for November 13 – 15, 2009, which is a month later in the year than it has historically been held. With the cooler weather and the closer proximity to gift-giving holidays, it will be the perfect chance for area residents and visiting families to enjoy a culturally-filled weekend outdoors in the Beaches of South Walton.


“On behalf of the St. Joe Company, WaterColor’s homeowners and our resort team, we are thrilled to have been selected to host the 2009 Flutterby Festival” says JOE’s West Florida Director of Marketing, Stacy Hamilton. “The beautiful paths, native gardens and verdant parks planned carefully during the development of WaterColor have settled in so nicely and are now an integral part of the authentic and natural experience one finds throughout our community.”


The 2009 Flutterby Festival, which was named to celebrate the migration of the Monarch butterfly through our area, will offer an exciting and diverse array of artists and activities, including street and stage performances by live musicians and actors, storytelling, visual art demonstrations and workshops, local and regional art vendors, a children’s art and craft area and a butterfly costume parade. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy seasonal food and beverages.


The Festival is being relocated from its previous venue of Gulf Place where it was sponsored by ResortQuest. “The CAA Board and staff are grateful to ResortQuest, the Merchants of Gulf Place and the Gulf Place Resort for their many years of support of this event that has become a Walton County tradition,” says CAA President Carol Lench.

“The CAA is aware of the disappointment that will be caused by postponing this event that is anticipated by families, but we are confident that the Flutterby Festival will re-emerge next year with renewed strength and enthusiasm,” says CAA Executive Director Jennifer Steele Saunders. “We are looking forward to the new partnership with the St. Joe Company and WaterColor and the possibility for growth in this venue.”

Details on the 2009 Flutterby Festival will be forthcoming, and artist and vendor applications will be available in June 2009 via www.culturalartsassociation.org. Please call (850) 622-5970 with any questions.

Thanks for the information. I am still disappointed...and wonder why a smaller version could not have been pulled off.

I do appreciate your posting here though. It has always been a very special time for us. Was there an effort made to find more sponsors?

I think the local sponsor pool is pretty slim, and are asked to give/donate for so many events.

We attended last year and it was fun, but I see some really great possibilities for its future. Just having it at Watercolor is an improvement- a much more natural and beautiful setting.

I think it is a great decision to take a year off, and come back really really awesome.

Thanks for the information. I am still disappointed...and wonder why a smaller version could not have been pulled off.

I do appreciate your posting here though. It has always been a very special time for us. Was there an effort made to find more sponsors?

We knew that many would be disappointed, and I want to assure the public that Flutterby will continue for the enjoyment of all next year and for years to come.

In our effort to find more sponsors at the last minute, an opportunity arose for the CAA to move the Festival to a fresh venue with a new title sponsor. However, due to circumstances beyond our control we could not take advantage of this offer until 2009.

That fact combined with our desire to produce a higher quality event and not a "watered-down" version of previous Flutterby Festivals helped us to make this decision..

I do thank you all for expressing your enthusiasm for the event, though, and hope you will be understanding and supportive of the CAA as we prepare for next year's Flutterby Festival at WaterColor.

I do thank you all for expressing your enthusiasm for the event, though, and hope you will be understanding and supportive of the CAA as we prepare for next year's Flutterby Festival at WaterColor.

From the comments above, sounds like the festival has got some supporters who are willing to throw some cash into the event--strike while the iron is hot.
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Back to Nature - Family Fun Day

I'm sorry to read that the Flutterby Festival will not be held this year. It's such a wonderful event for the kids, though I'm sure next year will be spectacular.

For those looking for something fun to do for the whole family, the SWCC is having their annual Back to Nature Festival with a new feature this year. SWELL is organizing a Family Fun Day as part of the event. The festival will be held on Oct. 18, from 10-4 at the Seaside Lyceum. The details are being finalized, though we are planning to have nature oriented, entertainment and information for the whole family. I'll post again soon with a list of participants and look for the press releases.

I'm sorry to read that the Flutterby Festival will not be held this year. It's such a wonderful event for the kids, though I'm sure next year will be spectacular.

For those looking for something fun to do for the whole family, the SWCC is having their annual Back to Nature Festival with a new feature this year. SWELL is organizing a Family Fun Day as part of the event. The festival will be held on Oct. 18, from 10-4 at the Seaside Lyceum. The details are being finalized, though we are planning to have nature oriented, entertainment and information for the whole family. I'll post again soon with a list of participants and look for the press releases.

Any chance that you could add the Butterfly Wings for the children. Many of us would be glad to help, I'm sure.

Any chance that you could add the Butterfly Wings for the children. Many of us would be glad to help, I'm sure.

goodwitch, your a wonderful grandmother! If anyone can get that little girl a flutterby festival this year...it will be you!!!........or at least butterfly wings.......:clap:

goodwitch, your a wonderful grandmother! If anyone can get that little girl a flutterby festival this year...it will be you!!!........or at least butterfly wings.......:clap:

Yes--even if I have to make them myself! Thanks😀

Any chance that you could add the Butterfly Wings for the children. Many of us would be glad to help, I'm sure.

GW58, I know that the Back to Nature Festival will offer a butterfly walk and I don't see why some of the activities from Flutterby can't be incorporated into our event. If you know of some folks that would like to volunteer or participate, please send them my direction.

GW58, I know that the Back to Nature Festival will offer a butterfly walk and I don't see why some of the activities from Flutterby can't be incorporated into our event. If you know of some folks that would like to volunteer or participate, please send them my direction.

Thank you very much. Will you send me a PM with you direct contact info please.

:clap::clap:

Goodwitch - I sent a pm with my contact info. Following is a list of participants in the Family Fun Day to date.


? 30A Radio ? The Earth Lounge
? Permaculture (sustainable and green living)
? Twin Oak Farms ? organic & local produce, preserves, ice cream, etc.
? Perpetual Imagination
? Herbal tinctures
? Raw & Juicy ? fresh juice, raw foods and juice talks
? Arix Zalace ? vermiculture (worm farm) & turtle flashlight stickers
? Phillip & Candi Ellis ? info. about Montessori
? Seaside Garden tours
? CBA ? touch tank
? Kid?s nature, art, and science activities
? Viewing of Coastal Dune Lake video
? For the Health of It
? Sundog Books ? Children's authors & storytelling
? E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center
? Master Gardeners
? IFAS
? SWCC - Back to Nature registration and info.
? Amavida Coffee
? Flowers by Grove
? Off the Vine
? Compass Builders & Realty

Thanks. I will give you a call tomorrow afternoon.

How much does the festival cost? :idontno: Considering the tens of thousands the TDC has been spending on signs etc. I will be quite annoyed if one of the monsters took away a funn educational opportunity.

I would think that a couple dollar entrance fee and a call for donations could make it still happen.

How much does the festival cost? :idontno: Considering the tens of thousands the TDC has been spending on signs etc. I will be quite annoyed if one of the monsters took away a funn educational opportunity.

I would think that a couple dollar entrance fee and a call for donations could make it still happen.

That's what I thought at first too. But, see above posts. Apparently not the case. I am working to get some other parents and grandparents to help add the butterfly parade to the SWCC event. Everyone involved is being cooperative so far...for which I am appreciative.

So many people stepped up to offer help to incorporate the Butterfly Wings and Parade nomally seen at Flutterby with the Back to Nature Fun Event on Saturday October 18.

I have been working with the Back to Nature and CAA and have two companies: Seagrove on the Beach Realty, Inc., and Porath and Associates, PA, who are willing to sponsor the Butterfly Wings and Parade. Many other parents and grandparents and older children have volunteered to help the children decorate wings.

On behalf of my granddaughter, Abbee, I want to say thank you for all who are so willing to help. Mark your calendars and come out October 18 to enjoy all the funn!

Thanks everyone!:clap::clap: Especially Steeling1, elitrope, and seagrovegirl!