Firefly Fling Lets Hearts Sing, Imagination Soar

Calling all fairies and other fantastical summer creatures: Grab your magic wands and put on your fairy crowns. Saturday is the Firefly Fling at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

It's one of the most popular nights of the year at the garden, says BGO's communications coordinator, Liz Atwell.

"I had never been to it before I started working here," she says. "I saw the posters, and they talked about how magical it was, so I was curious to see how that translated at the event. The first year I came, I thought, 'They're not joking!' It's like a storybook comes to life in the gardens, every year. Seeing the kids and the cool costumes and the glow sticks and glowing wings -- it's so much fun, joy and imagination. It's like a fantasy land for kids! It's fun for all ages, but especially for that age group that we're targeting for this event."

This year's party has plenty of activities to keep everyone busy, says Atwell.

"We've got a lot of community partners participating," she says. "We've got a sensory flower truck, flower crowns, face painting, and the Northwest Arkansas Harry Potter Alliance is going to have a sorting hat booth of some kind. The University of Arkansas Department of Entomology is bringing some live and preserved insects. Crystal Bridges, the Amazeum and the Ozark Science Center will all have booths. The Jones Center is even bringing an obstacle course."

After dark, families can settle on the Great Lawn to listen to music -- Ashtyn Barbaree and the Firefly Fling Band and The Odds will both be performing -- and watch the dramatic fire dancing. Picnic dinners are welcome, and food trucks will also be on hand for hungry fairies and their parents.

The best word for the night, says Atwell, is "magical."

"It's just a magical night, and so much fun," she says. "And it couldn't be in more of a magical nook of Northwest Arkansas."

-- Lara Jo Hightower

NWA Democrat-Gazette

NAN What's Up on 07/19/2019