'Blooms and Butterflies' arrive at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus

Running from March 9 through September 2, 2013, visitors can once again enjoy the sight of hundreds of vividly colored exotic butterflies and gorgeous blooming flowers at the Franklin Park Conservatory's 20th annual "Blooms and Butterflies" exhibit in Columbus, Ohio. It is approximately a 2 hour drive from Cleveland to Columbus.

"Blooms and Butterflies" The exhibit features more than 100 species of butterflies flying freely from countries all over the world like China, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Japan, the Philippines and Kenya released into the Pacific Island Water Garden. This year's exhibit spotlights the butterflies of Brazil.

Visitors can view butterflies as small as 1.5 inches and as large as the 12 inch Atticus Atlas moth amidst a wide variety of tropical blooms.

This year's opening day on Saturday, March 9 revolves around a theme of "Brazilian Carnival Family Fun" celebrating the many Brazilian butterflies. Among the actiivities (offered from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.) will be creating masks and crowns, face painting and getting a temporary butterfly tattoo.

Visitors will also get to participate in a carnival parade (at 1:30 p.m.)

Opening day festivities also include performances by the Kristina Isabelle Dance Company (at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) presenting "Uneven Tango," an unique contemporary dance presentaion that features stilt and trapeze acts.

Family Fun activities on Saturday, March 16 (from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) include making and playing instruments inspired by the Brazilian Samba music (including seed shakers, bottle cap clinkers and reco-reco) while family-friendly activities on Sunday, March 24 (from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) include a performance by magician Steven Bloom and a chance to make magic bird crafts.

During "Blooms and Butterflies," there will be weekly arrivals of the chrysalises of a variety of exotic buttterfly species and visitors will be able to watch the new butterflies emerge through the glass windows at the Conservatory's Emergence Center.

There will be daily butterfly releases at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Conservatory staff members or volunteers will provide a close-up look at the butterflies and will share fun facts about them.

For those visitors interested in butterfly gardening, don't miss the daily talks (April 8 - July 3) given at 2 p.m.

Admission to the "Blooms and Butterflies" exhibit is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for children (3-17). Children 2 and under are free. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily with extended hours on Wednesdays until 8 p.m. Parking is free.

For more information about "Bloom and Butterflies" or about the Franklin Park Conservatory call 614-645-8733 or 800-214-7275 or get online at www.fpconservatory.org.

The Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 East Broad St. in Columbus, Ohio. It is approximately a 2 hour drive from Cleveland.