Hackmatack Monarch Coalition hosts Monarch Family Fun Fair Aug. 16

The popular Monarch Family Fun Fair is celebrating its 11th year. This fair will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Crystal Lake Main Beach Pavilion, 300 Lake Shore Drive in Crystal Lake.

Hosted by the Hackmatack Monarch Coalition, the fair is an opportunity for families to learn what they can do to help monarchs and other butterflies and pollinators.

Members of the public are invited to migrate to the beach and get in free for a family afternoon and learn all about monarchs, with butterfly and pollinator plants information, a monarch art show, science and art activities, and loads of information from 16 exhibitors.

Pollinator plants will be available to purchase from Countryside Flower Shop & Nursery. Everyone who completes the Monarch Quiz will get a free ice cream token, redeemable at the Crystal Lake Culver’s restaurant. Music provided by Encore Music Academy will fill the afternoon with music at the beach band shell.

The Monarch Fair is sponsored by Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Crystal Lake Park District featuring activities from numerous conservation, education and arts groups involved in the Hackmatack Monarch Coalition.

Other participating organizations include Citizens Climate Lobby- McHenry County, City of Crystal Lake Sustainability Committee Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and Garden Center, Creative Arts Studio, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Girl Scouts- Chippewa Service Unit, Land Conservancy of McHenry County, McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Master Naturalists-University of Illinois Extension, McHenry County Schools Environmental Education Program (McSEEP), NW River Valleys Group of Sierra Club, Small Waters Education and the Xerces Society.

For more information, contact Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge at (262) 448-3558 or visit hackmatacknwr.org.