FLYER GUIDE: Firefly Fling set for Saturday at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Residents enjoy the 2013 Firefly Fling at Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

Photos by Todd Gill, Flyer staff

One of the best days of the year to be a kid in Northwest Arkansas is coming up this weekend.

The annual Firefly Fling, the family-friendly festival held annually at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18.

The event began a few years ago as a small celebration of the summer, but has grown to become one of the organization’s signature events each year featuring live music, and tons of interactive activities for kids.

Last year, organizers say more than 3,500 people attended the festival.

Entertainment this year includes performances by Farmer and The Markets, Shaky Bugs, Papa Rap, Mr. Troy, and more. Also planned this year is a Rapunzel mini-musical, a giant puppet pageant, and performances by a troupe of fire dancers.

A storytelling stage will be set up on the grounds as well, featuring stories by The White Family, Sierra, Luke & Levi, Kayleigh, John & Prosper, Nilufar & Shelby, The Lyons, and Anna & Kylie.

There will be interactive stations set up all over the grounds, including a Duplo creation station, water activities, a recycling relay and bottle cap mosaic station, a giant bubble station, rock painting, a “monkey bridge” climbing structure, and more.

There will also be photo opportunities with fairies, including Tinkerbell herself.

Picnic dinners are welcome at the event, but food vendors will be on hand, including Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Pedal Pops, and Yarnell’s Ice Cream.

Kids are encouraged to dress up with fairy and firefly wings and glow-in-the-dark paint, and bring their glow sticks, and dance around like crazy. It’s adorable.

Advance tickets are $7 for adults, and $4 for children ages 3-13, and free for kids under 3 years. To purchase tickets, visit bgozarks.com.

Tickets will also be available at the door. Prices Saturday night are $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-13, and free for kids under 3 years.

Schedule

Main Stage
6:30 – SHAKY BUGS (music)
7:15 p.m. – Hula Hoop Party
7:45 p.m. – Rapunzel Mini Musical
8:20 p.m. – Farmer and the Markets (music)
9 p.m. – Finale featuring Papa Rap (music), a Giant Puppet Pageant, Firedancers and Firefly Wishes.

StorYtelling Stage
6:15 p.m. – The White Family
6:30 p.m. – Sierra
6:45 p.m. – Luke & Levi
7 p.m. – Kayleigh
7:15 p.m. – John & Prosper
7:30 p.m. – Nilufar &Shelby
7:45 p.m. – The Lyons
8 p.m. – Anna &Kylie
8:15 p.m. – The Whites

Puppet Stage
7 p.m. – Jason Suel
8 p.m. – JoAnn Kaminsky
All evening – Puppet making by the Art Experience

FairyHouse Making Station
7 p.m. – Mr. Troy (music)

Photo opportunities – Fairy Grotto
6:30 p.m. – Lyons Family Fairies
7:15 p.m. – Tinkerbell

Photos




This article is sponsored by First Security Bank. For more great stories of Arkansas food, travel, sports, music and more, visit onlyinark.com.