MISSION – Hidalgo County Precinct 3 joined the National Butterfly Center in celebrating its 29th Annual Butterfly Festival, a four-day event that attracted visitors from across the country. The Rio Grande Valley has become one of the nation’s premier destinations for butterfly enthusiasts, with nearly 300 species recorded in the region. The National Butterfly Center alone has documented more than 240 species on its grounds.
Festival guests enjoyed family-friendly activities including educational booths, games, and guided nature walks. The Center’s extensive network of walking trails offered visitors an up-close look at butterflies and other native wildlife thriving in their natural habitats.
“The Butterfly Center is a treasure for our community and a point of pride for South Texas,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Everardo “Ever” Villarreal. “Events like this bring people together to appreciate our environment, learn about conservation, and experience the beauty that makes our region so special.”