Sparks & S'mores: Firefly Fundraiser
May 23, 2025 @ 7:30PM — 11:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Dark Cove, Cullowhee, NC: 557 E Main St Franklin, North Carolina 28734 Get Directions
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Support Mainspring while enjoying a private viewing of the rare Blue Ghost Fireflies!
Conservationists, lightning bug enthusiasts, and good-ol-fashioned nature lovers are invited to Dark Cove, a private property protected by conservation easement, for an exclusive show of Blue Ghost fireflies. These fireflies are a rare species that give the nighttime forest a blueish, magical aura. They fly slowly close to the ground and, instead of flashing like other lightning bugs, stay illuminated for up to a minute! True to its name, Dark Cove is shrouded by a dense canopy of towering hardwoods, making it the perfect place to enjoy these magical insects. Blue Ghost fireflies are only found in a small section of the Southern Appalachians; they live right here, and nowhere else in the world. This is an event you don't want to miss!
We will meet at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Cullowhee (40 Sugar Creek Rd, Cullowhee, NC 28723) at 7:30pm sharp on Friday, May 23rd. Guests will be shuttled to the event location, and will be greeted by a crackling campfire and s'mores supplies! As the sun sinks low, we will savor a sweet treat (or two, or three) around the fire, and a naturalist will deliver an introductory talk on lightning bugs, with a special focus on the Blue Ghosts. As true darkness sets in around 9:00pm, guests will be invited to wander the property to take in the bioluminescent show. Total walking distance should be less than one mile at most, and red light devices will be provided for use during the event. These fireflies generally peak from 9:30pm to 10:30pm. Starting at 10:30pm, shuttles will be available to take guests back to their cars. The event will formally conclude at 11:00pm.
Tickets for this event are $75 and include s'mores, a shuttle to-and-from the event location, and a red light device to use during the event. Space is limited, so mark your calendar!
Cover image by Jordan Mitchell.