Thank you to all who came out to attend Butterfly Day this past Sunday, July 17, at DeKorte Park! Some 400 people, including many families, attended to celebrate the incredible winged marvels and learn about the importance of protecting the environment. In this posting, we’ll spotlight the stars of Butterfly Day, the butterflies of course, and the kids that participated in butterfly crafts and our annual Butterfly Day Costume Contest!

The day was also a celebration and remembrance of the life of Jill Ann Ziemkiewicz, the namesake of Jill’s Garden. Jill Ann was a member of the flight crew of TWA Flight 800 and died at age 23 when the plane crashed into the ocean on July 17, 1996, which coincided with this year’s Butterfly Day. Jill’s Garden carries on her love of the environment, giving spirit and vibrant personality.

All photos by Emilia Lorenz, @emilialorenzphoto