Beginning Friday, Mariposa will celebrate its namesake with entertainment, food, fun, and of course, butterflies. The Butterfly Festival takes place from April 30 to May 2.

On Friday, chalk art will brighten the Mariposa Creek Parkway, and local school children will release butterflies in the same area at various times from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The evening features the Butterfly Festival reception, “A Taste of Mariposa,” and the butterfly hat contest in Building A at the Mariposa Fairgrounds.

The action gets started early on Saturday morning, with breakfast at the American Legion Hall from 7 to 11 a.m. The entire day is filled with activities, including the quilt show at the Mariposa Museum and History Center and the parade at 11 a.m. The Katerpillar Kids area will be open on lower Fifth Street from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is a skateboard competition, cowboy poetry and various acts of live entertainment.

Sunday begins with a sunrise worship service at 7:30 a.m. in the Art Park. The art and artisan show reopens at 10 a.m., as does the street fair on Seventh Street. Live entertainment happens throughout the day.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.mariposabutterflyfestival. org.