04/12/2026
What a great day we had at the pollinator festival at the La Loma Native Garden!
The rain stayed away so we could enjoy a pleasant experience celebrating nature! There were lots of enthusiastic participants in the children's costume parade, ladybugs, butterflies, even a cloud costume. Thank you to Evan Elliot for leading the parade and getting the kids to sing "In Modesto there is a garden.....".Dave Rogers led the drum circle in his unique and amazing skill at producing rhythm in every crowd. It was fun to watch and listen to.
We had a new photo op board that was very popular, made by our own neighbor, Bonnie Nixon, who also makes beautiful birdhouses.
Thank you to Mr. Simas' high school students in the Johansen Sustainability Club who volunteered to lead activities to teach kids about bees, butterflies, and pollination. They were a big help.
Loved seeing parents reading to their kids and teaching them about pollinators. We had a lot of creativity in the booth activity as well, from butterfly life cycles with the UC Master Gardeners to bee headbands. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment and food trucks, which added to the atmosphere. Thank you for coming out to share this special day in the neighborhood. We appreciate the City of Modesto's support too. They brought out their mascots to interact with the kids. Once again we released a large number of ladybugs who are now on guard for pests in our native garden. The little ones enjoyed touching their first ladybug!
Thank you to everyone who participated and made our event so successful!