LAKE ELSINORE -- At the request of an animal rights group, the butterflies have been grounded for Saturday's inaugural "Flight of the Butterfly Festival" at the Lake Elsinore Outlets shopping center.

Originally about 1,000 butterflies were to be released at 2 p.m. as part of the daylong event.

"It is anticipated that many of the butterflies will mingle with the crowds as they are drawn to the spring florals specifically selected to attract butterflies," outlet officials said in an earlier press release touting the event. "The first 200 children to arrive at the ceremony will receive butterfly nets and a unique opportunity to try and catch a butterfly after the release."

That opportunity apparently did not sit well with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which informed the outlet's management of the possible harm that could occur to the butterflies upon their release.

"We received a letter on Friday from PETA's national headquarters respectfully asking us to change the event," said Gretchen Harrington, the outlet center's marketing director. "We were happy to do so."

In its place, butterfly balloons --- including two with 6-foot wing spans --- will hover above the shopping center in "a ceremonial release," outlet officials said.

Those balloons will then be returned to the mall to prevent harm to the environment, said officials.

Butterflies will still be available for viewing at a gazebo set up at the outlet center that has plants inside designed to attract the creatures.

No other changes to the program are expected, officials said.

Lake Elsinore Outlets is located off Interstate 15 at Nichols Road.

Contact staff writer John Hunneman at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2603, or hunneman@californian.com.