All aflutter: 400 gather for third annual butterfly release

Aug 15, 2018 03:44PM ● By Jana Klopsch

A butterfly lands on a young girl’s hand.

All photos contributed by Jenny Jones.

Butterfly Release [13 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

After the release, the butterflies stuck around to hang out with attendees.

Only 400 people were admitted for the butterfly release, with many taking photos.

A butterfly lands on a young girl’s hand.

Kids got to learn more about butterflies. They are kept refrigerated prior to the event so they don’t dehydrate.

Robert Stroud prepares to release 125 butterflies at the third annual butterfly release at Sego Lily Gardens.

After the release, the butterflies stuck around to hang out with attendees.

Kids got to learn more about butterflies. They are kept refrigerated prior to the event so they don’t dehydrate.

One friendly butterfly nestles on the arm of Diane Bowler. It was her first time to the event and she said it was the “perfect day for it.” It surprised her though. “Never thought they’d land on you.”

Butterflies have six-week life spans, according to “release guru” Robert Stroud. He’s been working with butterflies since he was a child.

Before taking off after the release, the butterflies hung around. This one found a nice blade of grass.

Robert Stroud readies the butterfly release with a youth helper. Stroud, a “release guru,” has been doing this since he was a child.

Dawn Barbee, the water education and public engagement coordinator for Sandy City, speaks to the crowd prior to the butterfly releasing.

Parents introduced their children to some of the 125 butterflies that were released. The event must be scheduled a year in advance and requires a permitting process.

Today, Local Life