Evan Brandt/MDN
Annabelle Deberry, a presenter at the Butterfly Encounter exhibit, holds up a Painted Lady butterfly to the public on Friday at the North Dakota State Fair.
With bright blooms, gentle fluttering wings and colorful creatures perched on feeding sticks, the Butterfly Encounter exhibit is turning heads and captivating hearts at this year’s North Dakota State Fair.
Presented by Cool Zoo, a conservation-focused traveling exhibit company, the interactive butterfly exhibit is open daily at the fairgrounds and offers visitors a chance to get up close with dozens of live butterflies, including the widely beloved Painted Lady species.
Annabelle Deberry, one of the exhibit’s presenters, said the goal is to create an experience that’s as meaningful as it is memorable.
“People are always surprised by how social butterflies can be,” Deberry said with a smile. “The Painted Ladies especially. If you’ve got a nectar stick, they’re coming to say hello.”
Inside the enclosed space, visitors are given nectar-dipped feeding sticks, encouraging butterflies to land and linger long enough for photos, curiosity and smiles. One of the most common guests in the exhibit, the Painted Lady, is easily identified by its orange-and-black wings with delicate white spots.
Evan Brandt/MDN
A Painted Lady butterfly is fed sweet nectar off a popsicle stick. Everyone who visits the exhibit is allowed to feed nectar to a butterfly.
“They’re pretty incredible,” Deberry added. “They migrate thousands of miles across continents, but here they are, happy to sit on your hand for a snack. It’s kind of magical when you think about it.”
Cool Zoo, based in South Florida, brings its mobile exhibits to fairs and events across the country, aiming to connect people with animals through hands-on experiences. According to its website, it focuses on education, awareness and fun, hoping to inspire environmental stewardship one encounter at a time.
In addition to the walk-through exhibit, free educational classes are offered daily through July 26 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Each session features facts about butterfly lifecycles, habitats and conservation efforts.
“It’s not just about seeing something pretty,” Deberry said. “It’s about understanding how important these creatures are to our world – and hopefully inspiring people to plant a few flowers when they get home.”
The Butterfly Encounter is located near the garden exhibit area on the fairgrounds. Entry is free with admission to the fair, and all ages are welcome.
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Evan Brandt/MDN
Annabelle Deberry, a presenter at the Butterfly Encounter exhibit, holds up a Painted Lady butterfly to the public on Friday at the North Dakota State Fair.
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Evan Brandt/MDN
A Painted Lady butterfly is fed sweet nectar off a popsicle stick. Everyone who visits the exhibit is allowed to feed nectar to a butterfly.
