HB Monarch Magic Coverage

Huntington Beach Beaches: Record Crowd Enjoys Monarch Magic in Gibbs Butterfly Park

by Chris MacDonald
Writer/Photographer, HB Ambassador/The Local News Columnist

A record crowd or more than 300 happy people recently enjoyed beautiful Gibbs Butterfly Park during the 4th Annual Monarch Magic Festival. The exciting event, across from HB's Meadowlark Golf Course, included a Kid's Parade, a Band and Singers from the HB Academy of the Performing Arts, a World Class Puppet Show, Yummy Lemon Ice and Baked Foods plus lots more. It not only educated everyone about the importance of Monarch Butterflies and Parks but raised much-needed funds to help restore the Butterfly Park that's visited by migrating monarchs and the public year round. All proceeds went to The Huntington Beach Tree Society.

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the festivities--from vendors and the city to the guests, who had the time of their lives, and event organizers, Diana Abruscato (for her hard work in spearheading the successful festival,) along with Leslie Gilson, the amazing volunteer Gibbs Butterfly Park Restoration Coordinator. Kids of all ages had a blast getting their faces painted, wearing butterfly wings, marching through the park, drawing butterflies and seeing London-trained puppeteer Leslie Gilson put on an incredible show explaining the whole butterfly story.

It was a delight having former Huntington Beach (and Seal Beach) Mayor Norma Brandel Gibbs, who saved the Park from development years ago, on hand to see the peaceful place of beauty, along with her faithful friend Dr. Kay Goddard, professor emeritus at Long Beach State and Vice President of the all volunteer Shipley Nature Center. Also joining in the fun were former Huntington Beach Mayor Victor Leipzig, Huntington Beach Planning Commissioners Barbara Delgleize (who's running for HB City Council) and Bob Franklin, Huntington Beach Television Host Matt Liffering, Huntington Beach Tree Society Board Members Jean Nagy and Ann Anderson, LDS Church Public Relations Director Don Garrick, and Los Angeles Police Officer Jim Katapodis (who's running for HB City Council) nature dignitaries Priscilla and Joe Cruz, and representatives from Inside the Outdoors, the HB Art Center and HB Community Services. HBCS's Erin Burke said they were thrilled to help show how "Our Parks Make Life Better." Rainbow Environmental Services explained proper recycling to the event participants.

If you haven't been to Gibbs Butterfly Park, come and see what it is all about. It's located at 16641 Graham Street. You can find a donation station there to drop money in. The Huntington Beach Tree Society collects it daily and donates the money to the ongoing maintenance of the Park. I would like to thank the many local business's who are constantly helping Leslie Gilson's efforts, including Monarch Magic. Bravo to Fiore Boutique, Absolutely Fabulous, Bill's Camera, The Beef Palace Butcher Shop, Crown Cleaners, Hair Safari, Ann Hair, Nails and Spa, Bill Anderson Art Gallery, Anamalia, Re/Max Select One and others. 

Photos not shown:
1. Former Huntington Beach Mayors Norma Brandel Gibbs and Victor Leipzig
2. Leslie Gilson's Puppet Show
3. The Huntington Beach Community Services Department
4.Huntington Beach Tree Society President Jean Nagy, HB Ambassador Chris MacDonald and HB Planning Commissioner Bob Franklin and his dog "Wayne"