Registration opens TODAY (Wednesday, June 30) for caterpillar adoption at this year’s Monarch Fest on Saturday, July 10.
Caterpillars are completely free to adopt, but you MUST have a reliable source of milkweed* to feed your hungry caterpillar and there is a limited supply available, so only one caterpillar may be adopted per family. Caterpillars must be picked up on Saturday, July 10 between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Once you register, we will send you a sign up link to select your pick up time.
This year’s Monarch Fest will be a hybrid online and in-person event this year. Festivities begin the week leading up to the festival (Monday, July 5) with virtual programming all week long — join us for daily educational zoom classes about Monarchs and other pollinators! Also included in this year’s festival are the free caterpillar adoption mentioned above, take-home crafts and activities (which you also need to register in advance for HERE), milkweed seed ball making for RAGBRAI riders, educational materials, free nectar plants (limited supply available), vendors and more. See the full schedule of events on our Monarch Fest page.
*(ICNC is unable to provide milkweed to adoptees). If you do not have a source of milkweed, click here to learn the many ways you can still participate in Monarch Fest (including online sessions, in-person activities and more)!
Caterpillars brought to you by: Monarch Research Project & Monarchs in Eastern Iowa
Monarch Fest Sponsors







