Annual Flutterby Festival Returns to Rosemary Beach Nov 9-10

The annual Flutterby Children’s Arts Festival is one of SoWal's funnest and most colorful festivals, and will once again be held at Rosemary Beach on Nov. 9-10, 2013. Presented by the Merchants of Rosemary Beach and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), the Flutterby Festival celebrates art, nature, and the migration of the Monarch Butterfly through the region. The family-friendly event returns with local favorites along with some new entertainment.
 
"We're excited to return to Rosemary Beach, which is the perfect setting for this beloved event created for the whole family," said Jennifer Steele, executive director of the CAA. "The Flutterby Festival is one of my favorite events that the CAA produces because families can spend quality time together, hearing music, playing games, learning about the butterfly plants and creating artwork.”

 
As part of the annual tradition, children create their own butterfly wing masterpieces to wear in the butterfly costume parade each afternoon at 3 p.m. Kids also enjoy using their creativity to build butterfly puppets and other crafts. Student artwork, including hundreds of butterfly paintings created by Walton County students, will be on display throughout the festival.
 
Master gardener Snookie Parrish will be on hand teaching children the art and science of building their own butterfly garden, and children will have the opportunity to decorate a pot and take home a plant to grow their own butterfly bush.
 
30A Dancewave will feature special choreographed performances celebrating butterflies and nature through dance, and 30A Ballet will be making its Flutterby Festival debut. There will also be musical performances by the Ohana Bands, along with fun kids music by South Walton’s 2014 Performer of the Year Mike Whitty. Performances by The Seaside Repertory Theatre will include audience participation and lots of laughs. Street games, face painting, hula hooping, street and mural painting, ensure there is non-stop entertainment.
 
On the East Green, Cottages for Kids' whimsical cottages, ranging from fairytale creations to modern designs, will be on display. Families are invited to walk through the cottages to personally experience the creativity and craftsmanship of these playhouses, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Children's Volunteer Health Network later in the month.
 
Flutterby Festival attendees looking for a snack, sweet treat or a meal will delight in the delicious offerings by Rosemary Beach restaurants. As an added bonus, families can explore the locally owned shops and galleries while spending the afternoon in Rosemary Beach.
 
The Flutterby Festival is presented by the Merchants of Rosemary Beach and sponsored in part by the Rosemary Beach Foundation, Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association, Danneker Inc., and SoWal.com. Admission to the Flutterby Festival is free. Some activities require a small fee with proceeds benefiting the CAA. For more information, please visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com or call 850-622-5970.

A long-standing tradition of the Flutterby Festival is to feature participating Walton County elementary school students' butterfly masterpieces at the festival. Each year, the butterfly submissions are judged with one student's work chosen for the festival poster.

Butler Elementary fourth grader, Hannah Storey, captured both art and nature with her colorful butterfly design, which was chosen as the 2013 festival poster winner.

Her artwork will be displayed prominently on all festival posters and t-shirts. Storey's artwork is one of many Walton County student designs that will be on display at the annual event.

"Supporting the arts in Walton County’s schools is at the core of our mission," said Jennifer Steele, executive director of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. "By showcasing the talent of our local students at the Flutterby Festival, we celebrate their artistic expression and creativity while raising much-needed funds that will go back into their classrooms through educational grants."

In addition, Hannah will receive a scholarship to attend after-school art programs taught by Ms. Art (Constance Rogers) at Eden State Gardens and the Bayou Arts Center through the rest of the school year.