All community members are invited to join Rural Resources and Friends of Hospice for the 3rd Annual Palouse Regional Butterfly Release in Colfax on September 12.

Date: September 12, 2026, beginning at 11:00 am

Location: Schmuck Park in Colfax – 1301 N Morton St

This is a free event. Reserve a butterfly here

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This is a community-wide celebration of lives event, brought to you by Rural Resources and Friends of Hospice. This event is to honor the lives of our community members’ loved ones by providing an outlet for healing and reflection on grief and loss. We do not put any limitations on participants’ grief and will happily honor lives lost recently or long ago, as well as honoring the lives of those who do not take human form. Participants are also welcome to return for the butterfly release, even if they have joined in years prior.

Prior to the butterfly release, we will be accepting names, photos, and quotes to be shared during the ceremony. Our ceremony will include a prayer from a guest chaplain, a speech or poem, live music, and a reading of the names of loved ones submitted by our community. The ceremony will also be streamed via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person but would like to honor their loved one. (Zoom link coming soon, stay tuned.)

After we have recognized each loved one, our wonderful volunteers distribute the butterflies to the attendees – each person gets one butterfly at the event, though they are welcome to submit more than one name. Since the butterflies come to us sleeping (and a little chilly), it may take a few moments for them to warm up and begin to take flight. We encourage participants to take this time to reflect on the beauty of life that these wonderful creatures symbolize. We will not rush whatever healing these butterflies may bring; participants may reminisce on memories with loved ones, share messages for the butterflies to carry on, or even just take a few pictures and enjoy the delicate beauties.

After the butterflies have made their departure, guests can enjoy the gentle live music, walk around to appreciate the pictures and quotes that others have shared, socialize, or mimic the butterflies and head onto their next adventure.

Names, pictures, and quotes can be submitted on our submission form, social media, or email (wcbutterflyrelease@gmail.com), or by calling our Pullman office at (509)332-0365.

Schmuck Park is ADA compliant with accessible parking and shuttle drop off located closer to the gazebo for the event. Please contact us for any questions regarding accommodations.