300 turn out for abbreviated butterfly release

GAINESVILLE - Rain did not keep everyone away from the annual butterfly release in Gainesville.

Nearly 300 people showed up despite the rain to help release 1,500 butterflies. This was the 18th annual event which is sponsored each year by Friends of Gainesville Parks & Greenways and usually attracts hundreds more people. For instance, in 2011 the crowd was estimated at 2,000.

It is held each year at Wilshire Trails Park. The rain did cause a cancellation of some of the associated activities that usually occur as part of the three-hour event.

(AccessNorthGa.com's Bill Maine contributed to this story.)