Bugs Rule!  14th Annual Insect Festival

A day of games and activities that highlight the importance of bugs in our lives and teach children of all ages about the incredible and often beautiful insects common to the Northeast.

 Saturday, September 10

1 to 4 p.m.

Mercer Educational Gardens,

431A Federal City Road, Hopewell

Rain or shine

Admission is free!

On-site parking available

This year’s theme is “Bugs Rule.” Attractions include:

• The Big Bug Band featuring a sing along accompanied by “kid made” instruments.
• Bugs in water
• Butterfly births
• Monarch butterfly tagging
• Bugs galore (insect inspection and handling)
• Hayrides
• Garden Q & A with Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist

Local environmental agencies will also be present with their experts and displays including:  Rutgers University Entomology faculty; Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association; Mercer County Mosquito Control; NJ Department of Agriculture Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory; Mercer County 4-H; and  Mercer County Equestrian Center.

The Naturalist from Mercer County Parks will also be present to lead insect-related activities.

Attendees are invited to view the seven demonstration gardens — Annual, Butterfly, Cottage, Herb, Native Plant, Perennial and Weed ID.

Schedule of Events

1:30 and 2:15   Monarch Butterfly Tagging

2:00 and 3:00   Big Bug Band Sing-along 

1:00 until 4:00   Ongoing Activities:

• Barbara Bromley, Q and A
• Beneficial Insects
• Bugs in Water
• Butterflies
• Bugs Galore (Touch a Bug)
• Composting
• Hayrides at the Barn
• Honey Bees
• Insect Predators: Birds
• Insect Hunt
• Invasive Insects
• Monarchs
• Metamorphosis
• Native Bees
• Refreshments
• Scavenger Hunt

        Insect Festival Activity Locations

Insect Festival Partners:

Christine Cardinal, Mercer County Equestrian Center; Isik Unlu, Mercer County Mosquito Control; Jeff Hoagland, Stony Brook Millstone Watershed; Jenn Rodgers, County Naturalist, Mercer County Parks; Mark Mayer, NJDA Beneficial Insect Rearing; Paul Kurtz, NJDA Invasive Insects; and  Dr. John Cambridge, Insectarium Institute Philadelphia, PA

 Cooperating Agencies:

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, (732) 932-5000, ext. 584.