Prince George, B.C. – It has become the prime event for Downtown Prince George, Summerfest,  and it swings into action this Sunday.

Centred at  6th and George Streets, the annual  event  brings music, magic and  fun to the  core of Prince George and this year,  there is something  very different.

Painted Lady Butterfly, image courtesy Butterfly Wings ‘n Wishes

Downtown Prince George Executive Director, Colleen Van Mook says  a   natural setting in a green house  is being set up to house nearly 600  Painted Lady  butterflies. “We will be inviting  people to walk through the butterfly house and see   the beautiful butterflies” says Van Mook ” and at the end of the  day, we’re going to be releasing  all of the butterflies into  our downtown”.

The butterflies come from Butterfly Wings ‘n Wishes out of Edmonton. Gloria Brons has been with that company for 16 years and says she wouldn’t be surprised if some of the butterflies find a way out  before the big release   “They are sneaky escape artists.  I suspect some will make their way out of the house on  backpacks or on someone’s head before the official release time.”

The Painted Lady butterfly is indigenous to this region,  and once released, Brons says they will carry on  as any  wild  butterfly would.

Then there’s a  contest.  “We’re asking people to fill out a survey as we ask some questions about the event” says Van Mook, “Then they can enter a draw for  a flight for two to Victoria courtesy  Pacific Coastal Airlines  and a two night stay at the Accent Inn.”

This is the 6th year  of  Summerfest  under the wing of  Downtown Prince George.  Executive Director  Colleen Van Mook says  the event is  the signature event for downtown “What we really want to do is  invite the community to  come and spend some time downtown, celebrating our   many activities.”

There are  45 exhibitors this year,   as well as 23 restaurants taking part in the ever popular Taste Pavilion,  which offers  fest goers the opportunity to  try  some of the best of what  local restaurants have to offer.  But, the food is not free,   you have to pre-purchase  tickets  in order to sample  the  fare.  The Taste Pavilion is always  a major hit,  and to avoid line ups at the ticket  booths during the day long event,  it’s recommended  you pre-purchase tickets  which are available upstairs at Northern Hardware until  Saturday.

Summerfest offers  a  Kidz Zone where  there is a petting zoo, face painting,  a magician a misting station, Exploration Place, Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, Prince George Air Cadet Squadron 396 Glider, Two Rivers Gallery and the YMCA of Northern BC

The entertainment line up  on the  Main Stage starts at 11:15,  while the action on the community stage gets underway at noon.

Summerfest runs from 11 am to 5pm  “It’s a great downtown party where the whole community can be a part of it” says Van Mook.  All that’s needed now is sunshine.