More than 2,500 people were drawn to this year's Firefly Fling on July 19 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville.
The annual event included fire spinners, gl0w-in-the-dark illuminated hula hoops, musicians, storytellers, an aerialist, lawn games and nature stations. Community partners were Amazeum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Hobbs State Park and Ozark Natural Science Center, and these partners featured stations throughout the garden. Judy Smith, communication and education coordinator at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, said Firefly Fling is not considered a fundraiser for the garden. Admission goes toward paying for the event itself and any money raised above that is used for education efforts at the garden throughout the year, such as school tours, summer camps and adult education programs, Smith said.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a collection of 12 themed gardens and includes the region's only butterfly house, according to its website, bgozarks.org. Smith said the garden has started to raise money for an expansion plan, which was unveiled July 13 and called Master Plan 2028. The Master Plan for the development of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a 15-year multi-phased project. It includes eight gardens, three parking lots and five buildings or structures, she said. The mission of the garden is to showcase the natural beauty of the Ozarks, to educate patrons in sustainability and to provide a gathering place for celebration and entertainment.
"Each phase of the Master Plan will enable us to meet those goals," she said.
The next event at the garden is a free concert by Got It Covered at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 on the Great Lawn. Guests can bring food, blankets and chairs. Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase, Smith said.
NAN Profiles on 08/03/2014