Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade

Every autumn, Pacific Grove, California—fondly known as "Butterfly Town, USA"—celebrates the return of the monarch butterflies with a tradition as delicate and vibrant as the creatures themselves. The Pacific Grove Butterfly Parade is more than just a local event; it's a living storybook of community, heritage, and nature’s rhythm.

Through my lens, I’ve sought to capture the spirit of this beloved tradition: children dressed as monarchs and milkweed plants, floats adorned with orange and black wings, and the sense of wonder that fills the air as generations gather to honor a migration both ancient and fragile.

This gallery invites viewers to witness the joyful procession through the streets, the quiet reverence of conservation, and the collective pride of a town that has chosen to protect beauty in flight. Each image is a moment—fleeting yet deeply rooted in place and purpose.

Photographed on assignment for the Cedar Street Times