2 0 2 5
We’re committed to caring for, cultivating, and celebrating Zinnias and Monarch Butterflies in Zion, IL.
cuidar,
Hosted by:
Estamos comprometidos a
cultivar, y celebrar Zinnias y Mariposas Monarcas en Zion, IL.
Zinnia & Monarch Festival History
On March 20, 2018, the Zion City Council voted to make the Zinnia the Zion Flower to beautify the neighborhoods and entice residents to participate in a healthy activity. It was sparked by "Lilacs in Lombard". Upon returning from a Zion Park District Senior Trip in 1999, bus driver Cheri Neal began researching flowers that the Zion community could embrace and showcase She found that the Zinnia came in every size from tiny to huge, and in a wide variety of colors, a perfect symbol to represent Zion's unique diversity Additionally, Zinnias represent Joy! What better to plant in a community than Joy? The effort has grown with the new goal of making Zion the Zinnia Capital!
On April 6, 2021, the Zion City Council passed a resolution making Zion a Monarch City USA This project was sparked with a trip to Port Washington by the Queen Bees of Zion Red Hat Society, noticing a sign designating them as a Monarch City. The Zion Park District was contacted and as it turns out, they were already involved with a number of projects that qualified Zion, IL as a Monarch City USA, except for one thing…there was no community event celebrating the Monarchs A group was formed and a festival for the Monarchs launched The second year, Carlen Borland, life-long Monarch enthusiast stepped up to chair the Festival event in 2022 The festival was a huge success by all measures In the spring of 2023, resident Sarah Petersen submitted a suggestion to make the festival a Zinnia and Monarch Festival. That idea took root and on August 19 and 20, 2023, the official Zinnia and Monarch Festival was born. Special thanks go to the City of Zion for their grant to help promote this festival. It was 2024 that and Bees Too! was added, especially because we are the Zee Bees! In 2025 Erica Delgado and Erika Denny stepped into leadership and have taken over festival to new heights
Historia del Festival Zinnia y Monarca
El 20 de Marzo del 2018, el Consejo Municipal de Zion votó para hacer de la Zinnia la Flor de Zion para embellecer los barrios y atraer a los residentes a participar en una actividad saludable La idea fue provocada por "Lilas de Lombard" Al regresar de un paseo para ancianos del Distrito de Parques de Zion en 1999, la conductora del autobús Cheri Neal comenzó a investigar flores que la comunidad de Zion pudiera adoptar y exhibir Descubrió que la Zinnia viene en todos tamaños de pequeña a enorme, y en una variedad de colores, un símbolo perfecto para representar la diversidad única de Zion. ¡Ademas, la Zinnia representa Alegría! ¿Qué mejor para sembrar en una comunidad que la alegría? ¡El esfuerzo a crecido con el nuevo objetivo de hacer de Zion la Capital de Zinnia!
El 5 de Abril del 2021, el Consejo Municipal de Zion aprobó una resolución haciendo de Zion una Ciudad Monarca USA Este proyecto surgió de un viaje de las Abejas Reinas de la Sociedad del Sombrero Rojo a Port Washington, donde notaron un letrero designándolos como una Ciudad Monarca. El Distrito de Parques de Zion fue contactado y resulto que ellos ya estaban involucrados con un numero de proyectos que calificaron a Zion, IL como una Ciudad Monarca USA, excepto una cosa no había un evento comunitario celebrando a las Monarcas Un grupo fue formado y se puso en marcha un festival para las Monarcas El segundo año, Carlen Borland, entusiástica de la Monarca de toda la vida, asumió la presidencia del evento del Festival en 2022 El festival fue un gran éxito en todo sentido En la primavera del 2023, residente Sarah Petersen sugirió convertir el festival en Festival de Zinnia y Monarca Esa idea ese arraigo y el 19 y 20 de Agosto del 2023, nació el Festival oficial de Zinnia y Monarca. Un agradecimiento especial para la Ciudad de Zion por su subvención para ayudar a promover este festival.Fue en 2024 que se incorporó ...y Bees Too!, ¡especialmente porque somos las Zee Bees! En 2025, Erica Delgado y Erika Denny asumieron el liderazgo y llevaron el festival a nuevas alturas
A Celebration of Color, Transformation, and Community
Every August, as the vibrant Zinnias reach full bloom and Monarch butterflies begin their awe-inspiring migration, the City of Zion comes alive with celebration. The Zinnia and Monarch Festival, held the third weekend of August, is more than just a gathering—it's a tribute to joy, resilience, and the beauty of change. Zinnias, long known as the flower of joy, stand tall as a symbol of community spirit, while the Monarch butterfly reminds us of the power of transformation. Together, they inspire a weekend filled with color, connection, and purpose.
ADAYOFCELEBRATIONS
Saturday FESTIVAL
8:30 AM | Pre-Festival- 5K/Kids Run (with medals for top finishers) Awards at Bandshell
9:30 AM | Bubble Bash!
1 PM- 5 PM | Food Trucks | Craft Fair | Vendors | Art Exhibitors – over 75 in total!!!
1 PM- 5 PM | Zion’sYouth Art Walk and FREE Crafts Zion Elementary Dist 6 - in the Tent
1 PM- 5 PM | Monarch House Experience and Photo Op- $5
1 PM- 1:15 PM | Zinnia Festival Begins Welcome- Hostess’ Tia Wilson and Giselle Alcocer – DJ to kick off!
1:15 PM- 1:35 PM | Opening Ceremony with Zion- Benton NJROTC- Performance
Potawatomi Trails
1:38 PM- 1:50 PM | Butterfly Dance with Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow
1:00 PM- 4:30 PM | Face Painting
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM | Balloon Artist
1:30 PM- 2 PM | Education - Bee Keeping 101 Class by Lake County Bee Keepers Association - Tent
2:00 PM- 2:15 PM | International Award-Winning Razzle Dazzle Performance
2:00 PM- 2:30 PM | Education - Flower Arranging Demonstrations by Rebecca Bozardt - Tent
Razzle Dazzle
2:20 PM- 3:30 PM | Raffle Announcements/ Acknowledgments- DJ Music Break
2:30 PM | Water Balloon Play
2:30 PM- 1:45 PM | ZionYard Contest Winners
2:50 PM- 3:15 PM | Zion Culver’s Custard Eating Contest- Stage
3:20 PM- 3:40 PM | CJs Donut Eating Contest- Stage
3:50 PM- 4:10 PM | Torres Fresh Market Watermelon Eating Contest- Stage
4:10 PM- 4:15 PM | Raffle
4:15 PM- 4:40 PM | Zumba with Linda Juarez
4:15 PM- 4:45 PM | Pinatas- Caterpillar Pinata (ages 9 and under) Monarch Pinata (ages 10-13)
4:45 PM- 4:50 PM | Host Closing Remarks
4:50 PM- 5 PM | Sherri D - Singer Songwriter Music Performance
5 PM | Event Ends for Day
ADAYOFCELEBRATIONS
Saturday FESTIVAL
Horario del Festival Zinnia: Sábado, Agosto 16, 2025
8:30 AM | Pre-Festival- 5K/Carrera de Niños (con medallas para los mejores finalistas) Premios en el Escenario
9:30 AM | ¡Fiesta de Burbujas!
1 PM- 5 PM | Camiones de Comida | Feria de Artesanías | Vendedores
Expositores de Arte – ¡¡¡más de 75 en total!!!
1 PM- 5 PM | Exhibición de Arte de Jovenes de Zion y Artesanías GRATIS
Distrito Escolar Primario 6 de Zion - en la Carpa
1 PM- 5 PM | Experiencia en la Casa Monarca y Fotografía - $5
1 PM- 5 PM | Creación de Colcha Comunitaria de Loopy Connections
1 PM- 1:15 PM | Comienza el Festival Zinnia
Bienvenida- Anfitrionas Tia Wilson y Giselle Alcocer ¡DJ para comenzar la fiesta!
1:15 PM- 1:35 PM | Ceremonia de Apertura con Zion-Benton NJROTC Guardia de Honor
1:38 PM- 1:50 PM | Danza de la Mariposa con Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow
1:00 PM- 4:30 PM | Pinta Caritas
2:00 PM- 3:00 PM | Artista de Globos
1:30 PM- 2 PM | Educación - Clase de Apicultura 101 por Asociación de Apicultores del Condado de Lake - Carpa
2:00 PM- 2:15 PM | Presentación de Razzle Dazzle, Ganadores de Premios Internacionales
2:00 PM- 2:30 PM | Educación - Demostraciones de Arreglos Florales por Rebecca Bozardt - Carpa
2:20 PM- 2:30 PM | Anuncios de Rifa/ Reconocimientos
2:30 PM | Juego con Globos de Agua
2:30 PM- 1:45 PM | Ganadores del Concurso de Jardines de Zion
2:50 PM- 3:15 PM | Concurso de Comer Helado de Culver’s de Zion- Escenario
3:20 PM- 3:40 PM | Concurso de Comer Donas de CJ’s- Escenario
3:50 PM- 4:10 PM | Concurso de Comer Sandia de Torres Fresh Market - Escenario
4:10 PM- 4:15 PM | Rifa
4:15 PM- 4:40 PM | Zumba con Linda Juarez
4:15 PM- 4:45 PM | Piñatas- Piñata de Oruga (edades 9 años o menores) Piñata Monarca (edades 10-13)
4:45 PM- 4:50 PM | Comentarios Finales del Anfitrión
4:50 PM- 5 PM | Actuación Musical de Sherri D
5 PM | Finalizan las Actividades del Día
Guía de Colores: Escenario- Rojo, Nivel del Suelo:Verde, Carpa- Morado
Sherri
Jonelle Glori
ADAYOFCELEBRATIONS
sunday FESTIVAL
1 PM- 1:35 PM | Monarch Festival Begins- Welcoming Acknowledgments
1 PM- 5 PM | Craft Fair | Vendors | Art Exhibitors | Food Trucks – over 75 in total!!!
1 PM- 5 PM | Zion’sYouth Art Walk and FREE Crafts
Zion Elementary Dist 6 - in the Tent
1 PM- 5PM | Loopy Connection - Community Sewing Project
1 PM- 4 PM | Monarch House Experience and Photo OP - $5
1:30 PM- 2 PM | Education - How to Harvest Zinnia and Milkweed Seeds Program
Sponsored by BUZ- Master Gardener Wendy Driver- Tent
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM | FREE Face Painting and Balloon Artists
1:35 PM- 1:45 PM | Jonelle Glori - Singer Songwriter Music Performance
2 PM- 2:15 PM | Mariachi Estrellas De Waukegan Music Performance
2 PM- 4PM | Lino print Making Hands-on Demo
2:15 PM- 2:35 PM | Ballet Folklorico Tayahua Dance Performance
2:15 PM- 2:45 PM | Education - How to Raise Monarch Butterflies
Astrid McLaughlin
2:40 PM- 2:45 PM | Get Down with DJ Alex Merrit
Ballet Folkloric
2:50 PM- 3:15 PM | Herencia Ecestre Horse Show
3:20 PM- 3:49 PM | Sponsor Acknowledgments | Raffle Prize Winners Photo, Custome, Coloring Contest Award Winners
4:30 PM- 4:55 PM | Monarch Release
4:30 PM- 4:55 PM | Fungology String Quartet Performance
4:55 PM- 5 PM | Closing Statements
ADAYOFCELEBRATIONS
sunday FESTIVAL
HorariodelFestivalZinnia:Domingo,Agosto17,2025
1PM-1:35PM|ComienzaelFestivalMonarca-ReconocimientosdeBienvenida
1PM-5PM|FeriadeArtesanías|Vendedores|ExpositoresdeArte
CamionesdeComida–¡¡¡másde75entotall!!!
1PM-5PM|ExhibicióndeArtedeJovenesdeZionyArtesaníasGRATIS
DistritoEscolarPrimario6deZion-enlaCarpa
1PM-5PM|CreacióndeColchaComunitariadeLoopyConnections
1PM-4PM|ExperienciaenlaCasaMonarcayFotografía-$5
1:30PM-2PM|Educación-ProgramasobreCómoCosecharSemillasZinniay AlgodoncilloPatrocinadoporBUZ-JardineraExpertaWendyDriver-Carpa
1:00PM–4:30PM|PintaCaritasyArtistadeGlobosGRATIS
1:35PM-1:45PM|ActuaciónMusicaldelaCantanteyCompositoraJonelleGlori
2PM-2:15PM|ActuaciónMusicaldelMariachiEstrellasDeWaukegan
Erica Delgado Co-Chair
Erika Denny Co-Chair
2PM-4PM|DemostraciónInteractivadeGrabadoenLinóleo(impresiónartesanal)
2:15PM-2:35PM|ActuaciónMusicaldelBalletFolkloricoTayahua
2:15PM-2:45PM|Educación-CómoCriarMariposasMonarca-AstridMcLaughlin
2:40PM-2:45PM|BailaconDJAlexMerrit
2:50PM-3:15PM|EspectáculoEcuestredeHerenciaEcuestre
3:20PM-3:49PM|ReconocimientosdePatrocinadores|GanadoresdePremiosde Rifa,GanadoresdelosConcursosdeFotografía,deDisfracesydeColorear
4:30PM-4:55PM|LiberacióndeMariposasMonarca
4:30PM-4:55PM|ActuaciónMusicaldeFungologyStringQuartet
4:55PM-5PM|ComentariosFinales
GuíadeColores:Escenario-Rojo,NiveldelSuelo:Verde,Carpa-Morado
1. Monarch City USA Mural – 2429 Sheridan Rd.
2. Zinnia Photo Op at the Clock Tower –Sheridan Rd and Shiloh Blvd.
3. Zion’s Butterfly Garden – Edina Blvd & Shiloh Blvd west of the Train Station
4. Esther’s Well – Off the parking lot of Port Shiloh Pool
5. 2 Murals & Business Best Curb Appeal: It’s All Good Coffee Shop - 2780 Sheridan Rd., Zion 1501 Shiloh Blvd
6. Most Unique Zinnia Display –Zion’s Culvers 3335 Sheridan Rd., Zion
7. Best Curb Appeal AND This year’s Champion –Home: 3237 Bethel Blvd
8. Most Unique Zinnia Display – 2925 Galilee Ave
9. Best Overall Love of Zinnias –Business: Hermon Park Center - 2700 29 Street, Zion th
10. Best Overall Love of Zinnias – Home: 1722 Dusk Drive
WalterStadler,M.D.,F.A.C.P.,F.A.S.C.O.
Pursuing cancer cures at the speed of life.
Withcancer,speedmatters.Ourcancerdiscoveriesmovefromourlabtoyour life,deliveringleading-edgetreatmentsdirectlytoyou Inthehandsofoneofthe nation’slargestandmostadvancedcancerresearchandtreatmentorganizations, weareoutpacingcancerwiththeurgencyeverydiagnosisdeserves Findleading-edgecancercareclosetohome righthereinZion.
CityofHopeCancerCenterisproudtosupportZionTownshipin makingadifferenceinourcommunity.
FestivalEntertainmentTeam
Host: Tia Wilson
DJ Alex Merritt
Host: Giselle Alcocer
Gas Station
Proud sponsor of the Zinnia and Monarch Festival
Marathan
Culvers CUSTARD EATING CONTEST
Location:
Zinnia Monarch Festival Committee
Guillermo Arizmendi + Carmen Acosta + Acosta & Sons Landscaping
LeadershipTeam
Co-Chairs
EricaDelgado
ErikaDenny
PromotionsChair
SandraUsher
EventDirector
CheriNeal
Art,Culture&Wellness
DandelionArtGallery
DeannaCruz
Thank you, Zion Park District!!!
Christine Wertman
Astrid McLaughlin
Carlen Borland
Chris Tollefsen-Smith
Elena Lopez
Everardo Samano
Gennythya Lopez
Giselle Alcocer
Heidi Pfeiffer
Jackelyn Orozco
Janet Eppers
Jean Vines
Jeanne Engle
Joe Knobbe
Juan Orozco
Monarch City USA Zion, IL
Kris Nichols
Linda Perreault
Mary Lou Hiltibran
Michelle Pederson
Oscar Ceja
Paula Reinier
Rebecca Bozarth
Sara Torrez
Sarah Petersen
Sheryl Anderson
Tammy Boyd
Tia Wilson
Wendy Driver
Whitney & Franklin Henry
Thank you, ZB Library Team Zion Woman’s Club
Thank you to all our food vendors
DIDYOUKNOW ZINNIASARE EDIBLE?
��JointheZion’sZinniaMenuTrail!�� Enjoyamealateachoftheselocations,offeringspecialty itemswithZinniasandBeeBalm(Yes,ZinniapetalsandBee Balmareedible!)andgetyourPassportstamped.
Tobeenteredtowinaprize,uploadcompleted passportphotousingQRCodeordropitoffat: ZionTownship,101527 St.,Zion or th ClosetSpace,2700SheridanRd.,Zion
This2025weareworkingtomakeZiontheZinnia Capital!!!Since2018,we’vebeenplantingthatseed &it’stakingroot:
2,500seedpacketsdistributed Over8,500Zinnias planted Zinniasbloominginyards,businesses,alongSheridanRd ZinniaandMonarchFestival...andBeesToo!8/16-17 700piecesofstudent arttobedisplayedat5thannual Zinnia&MonarchFestivalwith2,000+attendees! EntertheZinniaYardContestatZinniasForZion.com! LOTSofincredibleprizesJUSTforentering!!! �� Let’s Make Zion Bloom!
JointheZion’sZinniaMenuTrail!��
Enjoyamealateachoftheselocations,offeringspecialty itemswithZinniasandBeeBalm(Yes,ZinniapetalsandBee Balmareedible!)andgetyourPassportstamped.
Tobeenteredtowinaprize,uploadcompleted passportphotousingQRCodeordropitoffat: ZionTownship,101527 St.,Zion or th ClosetSpace,2700SheridanRd.,Zion
This2025weareworkingtomakeZiontheZinniaCapital!!! Since2018,we’vebeenplantingthatseed &it’staking root:
2,500seedpacketsdistributed Over8,500Zinnias planted Zinniasbloominginyards,businesses,alongSheridanRd ZinniaandMonarchFestival...andBeesToo!8/16-17 700piecesofstudent arttobedisplayedat5thannual Zinnia&MonarchFestivalwith2,000+attendees! EntertheZinniaYardContestatZinniasForZion.com! LOTSofincredibleprizesJUSTforentering!!! �� Let’s Make Zion Bloom!
Thank you to all our vendors
Forastero’s Tako
Soulicious
Smash’Em Up
Awesome Mini Donuts
Farmers Fresh Corn
Bellas Kitchen
Churros Gourmet
Mr. Ice Cream Man
La Casa De Doris LLC
A Unique Cookie
Q4 Delights
Merinos Catering
American Legion Post 865
Nancy Stiles
Hollys Designs
Glorias Treasured Boutique
Grandmas House
M n M Crafty Creations
R n J Creations
Bubbly Yarn
Annas Art
Penny Victorias Flower & Farmstand
Gilded Monarcha
Crafty K’s Shop
Inception Body Works
State Farm Insurance: Diego Mendez
Chic Boujee Hat Bar
Dragonfly Dreams Lavender
Mythical Knots
All Out Nerddom
Renee Turner
The Varsek Team W/Real Broker
City of Hope
North Shore Gas
Azzure Marie Designs
The Coco Lux Two
Just Jayne Jewelry
Crafting Owl Gifts
Remax Plaza
Waukegan Community Bank
Great Lakes Credit Union
UGlow2
Natures Emporium Wellness Shop
Intentional Teas
Casita De Suenos LLC
Senatory Mary Edly-Allen
Dandelion Gallery
Popup Shoppe
Art & Henna by Erica
Litzy Gomez
Elenas Sun Garden
Cactuso Art
4ever8loom
Rubys Crochet Creations
Sweet Kisses Soap
Zion School District 6
Family First Center of Lake County
State Representative Joyce Mason
Mana a Mano
TVG Medulla LLC/Chiro One Wellness Center
Oakstreet Health
PNC Bank
Chickens for Zion
Zion Area Exchange Club
Zion Benton Wrestling
Equal Hope
BUZ & Illinois Dunes and Garden Club
Briana Petri
Lake County Bee Keepers Association
Juan Carlos Brito-Nueva Vida
Loopy Connections
Lake FC Soccer
Marys Face Paint Creations
Jonathan Rodemacher (Face Painting)
Rebecca Bozardt
Astrid McLaughlin
Greg Townsley and Family
Special thanks to Greg Townsley of Graphic Partners, who goes above and beyond to always get the job done in time for any and all projects. Zion Township truly appreciates his partnership & Support.
Thank you to Our Sponsors
City of Hope
ReMax Plaza Group
North Shore Gas Grove at the Lake The Varsek Team
Living in Perfect Peace Ministries
State Senator Mary Edly-Allen Great Lakes Credit Union
Family First Center of Lake County Waukegan Bank
Building Up Zion (BUZ)
The Inn on Sheridan Road
State Rep. Joyce Mason
Caterpillar Egg
Old National Bank
It’s All Good A Ray of Hope
Mt. Olivet Memorial Park
Randy Nebel State Farm Insurance
Rick Delisle
Beach Park Tractor Supply
Janet Eppers & Joe Lynch
Return to Native
ZION TOWNSHIP PROGRAMS
Elf Network Program: September 1, 2025
LIHEAP: October 1, 2025
Joy Submit: January 31, 2026, Zion IL.
Summer Work Program Applications: March 1, 2026
FREE Zinnia Seeds for all Zion residents: April - May, 2026
Zion Benton Senior Resource Expo: April 15, 2026
Zinnia and Monarch Festival: August 15 & 16, 2026 Visit