Stony Kill Foundation’s week-long Butterflies & Blooms Festival kicks off soon, running from August 9 - 16, 2025. With days of activities planned, the community-focused festival celebrates the beauty and ecology of local pollinators through art, music, workshops, and family activities.

New additions to the schedule this year include a Bug Pinning Workshop and Soapmaking for Gardeners. During the week of pollinator-themed activities, people can choose from insect and bird walks, storytimes, educational programs for all ages; and art and nature workshops. The full schedule with age ranges is listed below.

Festival Finale

The festival finale on Saturday, August 16 (rain date: Sunday, August 17) includes a butterfly hayride, butterfly tent, games, food trucks, face painting, crafts and activities, and a concert on the lawn with local bluegrass band Bees in the Barn. Parking is always free and a suggested donation of $5 at the Welcome Tent is encouraged to help support our community programs and stewardship of Stony Kill Farm.

“We’re so excited to offer several new programs during the week and we can’t wait to hear Bees in the Barn play on Saturday. We’re also bringing back the Butterfly Tent! ” says Stacey Lynch Adnams, Executive Director for Stony Kill Foundation. “Butterflies & Blooms is a summer tradition for many families and brings people of all ages from our community together to see what the Stony Kill experience is all about.”

All Butterflies & Blooms activities will be held at locations on the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center property at 79 Farmstead Lane in Wappingers Falls. For full descriptions of scheduled programs, and to register for ticketed workshops, visit stonykill.org/butterfly.

FREE FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Advance registration is requested for all week-long workshops. Locations subject to change based on weather.

Saturday, August 9 10am-12pm
Soapmaking for Gardeners
Ages 17+ | $50 | Meets at the Learning Center

Monday, August 11 10am
Storytime and Pollinator Discovery
Ages 3+ | free | Meets at the Greenhouse

Tuesday, August 12 at 5-6:30pm
Insect Safari and Bug Pinning
Ages 5+ | $15 | Meets at the Woodland Trailhead

Wednesday, August 13 11am
Storytime and Butterfly craft
Ages 3+ | free | Meets at the Manor House and Perennial Garden

Thursday, August 14, 4pm
Community Science: Finding Monarchs
All ages | $5 | Meets at the Greenhouse

Thursday, August 14 at 8pm
Evening Moth Walk
All ages | $5 | Meets at the Manor House lawn

Friday, August 15 at 9am
Beginner Bird Walk
All ages | $5 | Meets at the Manor House

Friday, August 15 10am-12pm
Starting a Pollinator Garden
All ages | $5 | Meets at the Learning Center

FESTIVAL FINALE EVENTS!

Saturday, August 16 4-7:30 p.m. (Rain Date: Sunday, August 17)
Saturday, August 16, 4–5:30pm
Hay Rides in the Butterfly Wagon
All ages | Free | Rides leave from hay field

Saturday, August 16, 4–7:30 p.m.
Activity Tents: Monarch life stages cage, Monarch Butterfly Tent, Face painting, Monarch migration game, lawn games, non-profit vendors
All ages | Free | On the lawn in front of the Manor House

Saturday, August 16, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Concert on the Lawn featuring Bees in the Barn
All ages | Free | On the lawn in front of the Manor House | Rain date August 17