In this 2020 photo, an anise swallowtail butterfly is perched on a western red columbine flower in the Mill Creek Wilderness of the Ochoco National Forest.

Bristol Hospice will hold its second annual butterfly release on Saturday, June 1 at Riverbend Park. The event is intended as a ceremony to honor the 253 families of patients Bristol Hospice served during 2023 who died in the past year.

In total, Bristol Hospice will release 600 butterflies, the majority of which will be released during a ceremony beginning at noon. Attendees who wish to reserve an individual butterfly to release must RSVP by Wednesday, May 29. There are 300 butterflies available to reserve for personal release.

The event is open to anyone who wants to participate, said Macey McGregor, executive director of Bristol Hospice, including all ages and all denominations.

“We want to open this up as an annual event. Loss affects every one of us and this is a positive ceremony to uplift everyone in our community,” McGregor told The Bulletin.

For more information or to RSVP, email butterfly@bristolhospice.com or call 541-550-1155.