Butterfly Wonderland, home to the largest indoor glass butterfly conservatory in America, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a weekend full of exciting events, entertainment and giveaways on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11.
"We are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary and to share this milestone with our visitors," said Dee Mangulins, executive director of Butterfly Wonderland. "Over the years, millions of guests have cherished the special moments spent in the company of these beautiful butterflies! We look forward to continuing to provide a unique and educational experience for many more years to come."
Over 2.3 million guests have visited Butterfly Wonderland, the first attraction to open at Arizona Boardwalk in May 2013. Since then, Butterfly Wonderland has flown over 600,000 gorgeous butterflies of multiple species in its Conservatory, creating the magical environment that draws visitors from near and far.
To kick-off the anniversary celebration, the first 110 visitors to arrive on Saturday and Sunday will receive a commemorative butterfly gift. Keeping with the “theme of 10,” at 10 a.m. this weekend, a butterfly release will take place in multiple areas of the Conservatory that will include a special anniversary butterfly, the Plain Tiger, which is new to Butterfly Wonderland.
Leslie the Butterfly Princess will also be on hand for the celebration, posing for photos and interacting with guests. Team members will be sharing small giveaways for the kids including stickers, temporary butterfly tattoos, education cards and more. Live music, bee talks, kids' crafts and samplings of bug-centered treats round out the entertainment line-up.
As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation will award a $10,000 donation to the Pollinator Partnership, the world's largest non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to safeguarding pollinators and their ecosystems.
Butterfly background
Though the butterflies have always been the stars of the show at Butterfly Wonderland, the attraction has evolved to offer engaging new galleries featuring other animals to complete the rainforest adventure.
In 2017, Rainforest Reptiles opened, showcasing 20 new exhibits that offered the opportunity to learn about reptiles and amphibians. The following year, 2018, the Spineless Giants exhibit was introduced, featuring new species of arachnids and insects. For visitors seeking a culinary challenge, Butterfly Wonderland also added a one-of-a-kind "bug vending machine" in 2018, which features real edible insect snacks, candy and other consumable delights.
Through the years, the venue has become a symbol of celebration and special moments. Butterfly Wonderland has hosted 550 children’s birthday parties, beginning with a memorable party for a set of triplets. Not surprisingly, love has taken flight inside Butterfly Wonderland as the team has helped coordinate 65 marriage proposals and hosted 44 weddings, serving as a backdrop for lifelong journeys of love and happiness.
Butterfly Wonderland has been honored with over 10 tourism awards. This commitment has spilled into the community as experts from Butterfly Wonderland have been able to build 10 public butterfly gardens throughout the Valley and have provided nearly 50,000 free field trips to Title 1 students and charity recipients, thanks to the support of the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation.
To celebrate all the big milestones of this beloved Scottsdale attraction, a wonderful line-up of fun and entertainment awaits visitors June 10 and 11 at Butterfly Wonderland:
Saturday, June 10
- The first 110 guests to Butterfly Wonderland receive a commemorative butterfly gift.
- Special butterfly release at 10 a.m. featuring the Plain Tiger butterfly.
- Leslie the Butterfly Fairy makes her appearance from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Beautiful live music by Aaron White from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Conservatory.
- Children’s craft activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Take the Bug Taste Challenge by eating a protein-rich bug and earn an “I Ate a Bug” commemorative pin.
- Special commemorative 10th anniversary merchandise is available for purchase in Butterfly Treasures gift shop.
Sunday, June 11
- The first 110 guests at Butterfly Wonderland receive a commemorative butterfly gift.
- Special butterfly release at 10 a.m. featuring the Plain Tiger butterfly.
- Violinist Jonathan Livingston performs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Conservatory.
- Leslie the Butterfly Fairy makes her appearance from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Beekeeper Cricket Aldridge will "bee" on-hand at the newly enhanced Bee Exhibit.
- Children’s craft activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Take the Bug Taste Challenge by eating a protein-rich bug and earn an “I Ate a Bug” commemorative pin.
- Special commemorative 10th anniversary merchandise is available for purchase in Butterfly Treasures gift shop.
To learn more about Butterfly Wonderland’s 10th anniversary line-up of entertainment, or plan a visit, check out butterflywonderland.com.
