Chickasaw Cultural Center event offers glimpse at monarch butterflies annual migratory trek

SULPHUR, Okla. – Visitors of the Chickasaw Cultural Center,  867 Cooper Memorial Road,  are invited to a Monarch Butterfly Watch Saturday, Sept. 15. The day offers educational opportunities and  beautiful views of nature.

Activities include make-and-take crafts, games, a scavenger hunt, garden tours and pollinator plant giveaways.

Jane Breckenridge, butterfly expert and director of the Euchee Butterfly Farm, will be on-site with monarch butterflies to tag and release for their journey to Mexico. Painted lady butterfly kits will also be available at no charge while supplies last.

For several years, the Chickasaw Nation has planted milkweed and nectar-rich plants throughout the tribe’s 13-county territory in hopes of making a difference in the monarch butterfly’s declining population.

With additions to life-sustaining milkweed and nectar-rich plants growing in cultural center flowerbeds and in a “hoop” greenhouse, visitors are likely to spot monarchs making their annual migratory trek south to wintering grounds in Mexico.

The greenhouse offers a controlled enclosure for growing plants year-round. Monarchs may enter to feed and depart the structure safely.

Monarchs lay eggs on milkweed plants. Their offspring feed only on milkweed plants and go through three stages of life before constructing a chrysalis. They emerge as the “king of all butterflies” with brilliant orange, black and white coloring.

While at the cultural center, enjoy Marathon Matinee films. During the month of September, select weekend matinee films will be open to the public at no charge with the purchase of a concession item. Concession will include $2 popcorn, $1.50 bottled drinks and $1 candy items.

Film screenings Saturday, Sept. 15, include “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” at 10:30 a.m. followed by “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” at 1:45 p.m. The conclusion to the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” will be shown at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.

The Marathon Matinee schedule for the rest of September is as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:30 a.m., “Thor”

Saturday, Sept. 22, 12:30 p.m., “Thor: The Dark World”

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2:30 p.m., “Thor: Ragnarok”

Sunday, Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m., “The Ten Commandments”

Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m., “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”

Saturday, Sept. 29, 1:30 p.m., “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”

Sunday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m., “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”

Cultural center visitors can also tour the Te Ata Exhibit now through Nov. 11 in the Aapisa’ Art Gallery.

Explore the life of Mary “Te Ata” Thompson Fisher and her journey to become one of the greatest Native American performers of all time.

View items owned and worn by Te Ata, as well as memorabilia and props from the recently released, award-winning film.

The events and exhibits, unless otherwise stated, are open to the public at no charge.

For more information about any of the upcoming events, call (580) 622-7130 or visit www.chickasawculturalcenter.com .