The 12th Annual “Little Wings on the Prairie” Butterfly Festival will be held Saturday (July 11, 2026) from 9am-noon CDT at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area north of Fort Pierre.
Activities and teaching stations will be located at the Prairie Butterfly Garden near the park’s Welcome Center and will include honey tasting, a migration maze, crafts, making a pollinator ball, and touring the pollinator garden.
The Pollinator’s Parade starts at 10:30am. Kids can wear costumes (bees, butterflies, insects, birds) and join in the parade. Adults are also welcome to join the parade.
Beesley, the Honey Bee, will once again be making an appearance to entertain the younger participants.
Information will be presented by SD Game, Fish & Parks, SDSU Extension, Discovery Center of Pierre, Prairie Potters Master Gardeners, East Pierre Landscape and Garden Center, Fort Pierre Butterfly Garden, local beekeepers, and SD Soil Health Coalition.
Participants are encouraged to bring comfortable clothing and shoes, wear insect repellent, sun screen, binoculars, and costumes.
There is no charge for the event, but a SD Park Entrance License is required for all motor vehicles entering the park. Children 11 and under are admitted free. Parking attendants will be present on-site.
The Oahe Downstream Recreation Area is located five miles north of Fort Pierre off SD highway 1806.
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