The sky above Wilshire Trails Park was filled with 1,500 painted lady butterflies Sunday during the 16th Annual Butterfly Release organized by Gainesville Friends of the Parks and Greenways, the city of Gainesville and Gainesville Parks and Recreation. Each year, the event serves to fulfill the mission of Gainesville Friends of the Parks and Greenways by preserving the leisure activities of Hall County residents and visitors. Leading to the release, visitors could eat food provided by vendors in the pavillion, pet puppies brought by the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and participate in paper sailboat races.