wish upon a butterfly
Watch monarch butterflies fill the skies
Saturday, July 25, 2026
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monarch butterflies will fill the skies Saturday, July 25, 9 am -12 pm, during "Wish Upon a Butterfly" at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. This symbolic event will highlight the elegant monarch, the Texas state insect, and a signature icon of transformation, hope, and awe.
This annual fundraiser pays homage to celebration, childhood wonder, the memory and presence of loved ones, fallen or deployed service members, new beginnings, and more. Festivities begin inside the Museum where guests may make a "wish keepsake" and other butterfly crafts before receiving their purchased butterflies outside from 10 - 10:30 am for release.
Event Details
One butterfly ticket purchase per family includes admission inside the Museum where visitors may enjoy the observation bee hive, butterfly displays, live music, refreshments, activities, and other Museum exhibits.
Guests may pre-purchase butterflies, $20 each or 6 for $100, by calling the Museum and paying by credit card or check. Butterflies may also be purchased at the event if any remain available.
There will be a variety of fun activities for all ages including butterfly themed activities and crafts. The Texas A&M Garden Club will be present to distribute seeds, butterfly plants, and discuss butterfly gardening. The Master Naturalists, the Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab, and others will also have educational booths. Guests who come to the event in a butterfly or caterpillar themed costume will receive a surprise gift.
Proceeds benefit the Museum and support free admission to the Museum for active-duty enlisted personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Butterflies are limited. Guests may pre-purchase butterflies, each at a cost of $20 or 6 for $100, by calling the Museum to order by credit card, or by mailing a check to:
Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History
Attn: Wish Upon a Butterfly
3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan TX 77802
Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Read the Sponsorship Form or call the Museum at 979-776-2195 for more information on how you can help put a smile on a child’s face!
Wish Upon a Butterfly honors
Nancy Hardeman
The Museum is proud to dedicate the 2026 Wish Upon a Butterfly, to the memory of Nancy Hardeman, A long time Museum supporter, Nancy valued education and lifelong learning. Her degree in Historic Preservation, and her role as a Master Gardener, channeled her love of history, beauty, and nature into everything she did.
Nancy was an active member of the Bryan community, supporting causes she believed in, and leading efforts with her husband, Ben, to restore the Queen Theater for the Downtown Bryan Community.
An outstanding community role model who touched countless lives, she will be remembered for her loving kindness, generosity, and adventurous spirit.
Nancy Hardeman
MANY THANKS TO OUR BUTTERFLY SPONSORS
DIAMOND
BECKY & B. DON RUSSELL
TDI BROOKS INTERNATIONAL
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
JOYCE PERKINS
IN MEMORY OF M. BOOKMAN PETERS - EILEEN PETERS
PLATINUM
IN MEMORY OF MERVIN, BOOKMAN, & LUCILE PETERS - THE MERVIN PETERS FAMILY
GOLD
DEBORAH COWMAN & DON CLARK
SILVER
ATMOS ENERGY
LASER ANSWERING SERVICES
HENRY & SANDRA MAYO
LOU ANN & MIKE MCKINNEY
GEORGE NELSON
ANN SATTERWHITE
ELLEN & ROD THORNTON
IN MEMORY OF BRAD VINSON - PAT VINSON & FAMILY
KARLA & PARTEN WAKEFIELD
BRONZE
COPPER
LETITIA & JOHN ALSTON
CINDY & JIM BANDY
NANCY & LEONARD BERRY
LEE ANN & TIM BRYAN
ARMANDO CASTRO
DONATIONS
PATRICIA BURCHFIELD
COMFORT KEEPERS
BEVERLY BROWN & DONNIS BAGGETT
TRACY & BRAD CORRIER
RAY FRISBIE
NANCY & BEN HARDEMAN
KARA & MIKE HOLMGREEN
CAROLYN LOHMAN
MARY & WARREN FINCH
SUE LEE
BRUCE & MARIE NORTON
PROSPERITY BANK
SABRINA RHODES
STEPHANIE SALE & JIM SINGLETON
STERLING AUTO GROUP
PHOEBE WATTS
DAISY & JOHN WHITE
KIRK & LESLIE WINEMILLER
COPPER
VICKI & WAYNE DICKY
GINA & BILL FLORES
LORRAINE & CHUCK HERMAN
TERRY & JOE RAMIREZ
JULIANA RANGEL
DONATIONS
CAROLYN SCHROEDER
