In 2019 we held the first Monarchs in the Park Festival to educate and celebrate with the citizens of Norman the value of the migration of the monarch butterfly. Come together with us for the SIXTH ANNUAL festival featuring native plant sales, games and crafts, pollinator and gardening experts, demonstrations, food trucks, and a special pollinator parade for the whole family.
The sixth annual festival will take place:
September 27, 2026
Ruby Grant Park
11 AM - 4 PM
Full list of vendors and activities coming soon!
Calling All Teachers! Inspire your students to explore art, recycling, and pollinator conservation by participating in the second annual Trash-to-Treasure Recycled Art Contest! Students are invited to create original artwork from recycled materials that celebrates monarch butterflies, pollinators, and their habitats. Cash prizes are available for students and teachers, and winning artwork will be recognized during the festival. Download contest information here.
Come celebrate movement, nature, and one of North America’s most extraordinary journeys at the Inaugural Monarch Migration 5K & 1 Mile Caterpillar Crawl at Ruby Grant Park in Norman on Sunday, September 27th at 9:00am.
Ruby Grant Park isn’t just a beautiful place to run — it’s an essential stopover habitat for monarch butterflies as they make their long migration back home to Mexico each fall. This race honors that incredible journey and the vital role our local park plays in protecting it.
Join us for the Monarch Migration Run, a special event that kicks off Norman’s annual Monarchs in the Park celebration. Whether you run, walk, or flutter along the course, you’ll be part of a community effort to support pollinator conservation and celebrate the natural beauty of Ruby Grant Park.
Expect a scenic trail, vibrant monarch‑themed touches, and a race experience that’s as meaningful as it is fun. Come be part of the migration!
Run participants will receive:
🦋A custom monarch themed race medal
🦋A custom monarch themed bib with timing tag (timing tag for 5K participants)
🦋Swag bag - contents to be announced, we know you'll love it!
More race details will land soon - this event is still in its chrysalis stage.
📢We’re excited to welcome the Monarch Migration Run as a new stop on the Norman Race Series calendar! Because it’s part of the Monarchs in the Park event, this race will stand alone and will not count toward the overall series awards presented at the Christmas 5K.
Communicate your message by providing a hands-on activity, exhibit or demonstration. Teach the importance of our monarchs and how to protect them; encourage wonder about the beauty of monarchs; talk about the value of a healthy community; show how to plant a helpful yard habitat, create art from recycled objects, share cultural stories and songs …the list goes on and on! Be creative! Make it fun! Games and door prizes are encouraged.
We are asking local businesses to help us make the annual Monarchs in the Park a special event that will continue to celebrate and inspire the Norman community to protect monarchs and all pollinators. Sponsorships will include social media coverage, t-shirt logos, and Monarch level supporters will be honored on the official Monarchs in the Park banner. All proceeds will go towards the annual event, and future pollinator events in the City of Norman.
Caterpillar Sponsor-$250
Includes logo placement on event t-shirts
Chrysalis Sponsor-$500
Includes media coverage and logo placement on event t-shirts and printed materials
Monarch Sponsor-$1,000
Includes media coverage and logo placement on event t-shirts, printed materials, and festival banners
Contact us at DoERS@normanok.gov for more information!