Children can watch a fragile butterfly take its first flight this Sunday when the annual Butterfly Release takes place this Sunday at Wilshire Trails Park in Gainesville.

The event, organized by the Friends of Gainesville Parks and Greenways, is a community tradition — it’s now in its 14th year.

On Sunday, 1,500 painted lady butterflies will take flight for the first time as children open their individual envelopes. Every child gets an envelope to open at 3 p.m., when the butterflies are scheduled to come out of their hibernation and flutter through the air. In the event of rain, the release will take place under the pavilion at the park.

Along with the butterfly release, there also will be paper sailboat races down the stream that flows through the park, plus face-painting, food, drinks and T-shirts available for purchase.

The Northeast Georgia History Center will again join the Friends of the Parks for the event, setting up the history center’s Family Sunday events at Wilshire Trails, too.

This Sunday the theme includes butterfly crafts and Cherokee butterfly legends. The Family Sunday event happens at the same time as the butterfly release event, and there is no admission charge for the day’s activities.