Live "angel" sharing butterfly with family during "White Flight."*
BRANSON, Mo., November 25, 2012 — “It may not be the ‘White Christmas’ dreamed about in the popular song, but ‘White Flight,’ brings its own unique beautiful ‘White Christmas’ to Branson,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. Currently appearing for its sixth Christmas in Branson, “White Flight” is a unique limited engagement Christmas exhibit made up of thousands of white butterflies flying in a rain forest sparkling with thousands of lights, living angel statutes, colorful white and red poinsettias and filled with the beautiful sounds of Christmas music. It is being shown at Branson’s Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure (Butterfly Palace) through January 15, 2013.
Sarah Bolend, General Manager of the Butterfly Palace, said that the thousands of white butterflies used in “White Flight” are comprised of about 20 different species of tropical white butterflies with the most common being the “Paper Kite Butterfly,” also referred to as the “Rice Paper Butterfly.” Bolend indicated that the majority of the butterflies used in White Flight, as is the case with all the exhibits at the Butterfly Palace, are shipped to them by air express in their chrysalis (cocoon) stage from tropical rain forests. After the butterfly emerges from the cocoon and its wings dry, it is released into the exhibit, aviary, where it lives out its average three week life span in a predator free environment.
“White Flight” starts in the Butterfly Palace’s theatre with the viewing of a very well filmed, interesting and exciting 15 minute movie on the life of a rain forest butterfly. After the movie the guests step from the theatre into the aviary where there is a unique opportunity to interact, “up close and personal,” with thousands of tropical rain forest butterflies. During “White Flight” the butterflies are all colored white and provide a spectacular and unique display. Bolend said that from January 16 through the start of White Flight on November 1, the display is just as spectacular, but is composed of 50-60 species of different brightly colored butterflies.
She points out that in addition to the butterflies in the aviary “White Flight” also includes the presentation of the centuries old art form of “living statutes” in the form of White Angels. As people walk through the exhibit and butterflies alight on and flutter around the angels they present a picture of angelic beauty and tranquility.
Almost imperceptibly, the statutes slowly and subtly come to life. It might be just a change in the position of a head or the extension of a hand, but it’s fascinating to watch the ability of the artist playing the angels to interact with the guests.
The aviary is decorated with a number of poinsettias and other flowers and highlighted by a large poinsettia Christmas tree that provides an excellent place to take a picture. The whole “White Flight” experience, from the thousands of White Butterflies to the living angel statutes and beautiful music, is a unique experience that the whole family will enjoy.
Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson reminds Branson visitors that “White Flight” is just one of the many special events that are part of Ozark Mountain Christmas. For additional information or tickets for “White Flight” and the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, Ozark Mountain Christmas or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 800-785-1550.
*Courtesy Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure