When: Saturday, October 1st
10am - 2pm
Where: Hilltop Garden & Nature Center at Indiana University
2367 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47408
What: Learn all about amazing insects at Bloomington's tenth annual Bug Fest! Check out cool insects, make a craft, participate in bug-themed activities, and much more. Exhibitors will share and display their knowledge on a variety of buggy topics. Visit the Facebook Event page!
Who: For people of all ages, from 1 to 101.
Cost: Free
Registration: Click here to pre-register to attend Bug Fest 2022: https://form.jotform.com/221653854788167
Food Drive: We will be hosting a food drive for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. A canned fruit and/or vegetable donation is appreciated, remember, most are pollinated by insects! Bug Fest is a collaboration of the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Monroe County Parks and Recreation, Purdue Extension- Monroe County, WonderLab Museum, and Hilltop Garden & Nature Center.
Volunteer: Share your interest in outdoor education with children! There are five different volunteer roles: Welcome Table, Games/Activities, Crafts, Toddler Area, and Floater. On-site training provided. Welcome Table volunteers greet attendees, distributes Bug Fest passports, and awarding prizes for passport completion. Games/Activities volunteers help supervise activities such as Compound Eyes, Ladybugs, Monarch Migration, Insect Games, and Mealworm Races. Crafts volunteers assist participants with various insect-themed crafts. Toddler Area volunteers assist small children and their families with navigating age-appropriate activities in the play area. Floater/General Support volunteers provide extra help/shift relief wherever is needed. Volunteers must be 18 yrs. and up. In accordance with Indiana University safety policy, all volunteers must bring photo ID with them at the time of check-in for their shift. Click here to learn more and sign up to volunteer.
Thank you to the Bug Fest 2022 Sponsors!
- Butterfly Level Sponsors
- Fowler Tree Services Inc.
- Monroe County Stormwater Services
- Monroe County Parks and Recreation Foundation
- Bloomington Hardware
- Chrysalis Level Sponsors
- World Wide Automotive Service
- Brinegar Eye Care
- City of Bloomington Utilities
- Eco Logic LLC
- IU Credit Union Investment Services
- Aquatic Control
2022 Event Stage Schedule
10:45am – 11:15am
Jungle Joe’s Flea Circus
An imaginary journey into the world of fleas for children of all ages. See “Jungle Joe” Lee and his stupendous performing fleas - watch them catch balls, do handstands, high-dive into a pool of water, and more!
11:30am – 12:00pm
Stories on Six Legs
Members of the Bloomington Storytellers’ Guild will entertain children with insect-themed stories.
12:15pm – 12:45pm
Jungle Joe’s Flea Circus
An imaginary journey into the world of fleas for children of all ages. See “Jungle Joe” Lee and his stupendous performing fleas - watch them catch balls, do handstands, high-dive into a pool of water, and more!
1:00pm – 1:30pm
Build a Bug
Learn about arthropod anatomy by dressing up like the crawlies themselves. WonderLab will explain the differences between spiders and insects. Explore basic insect, arachnid, and isopod body plans through dynamic role playing.
2022 Music Schedule
- 10:00am – 10:45am: John Kogge
- 1:00pm – 1:45pm: David Davila-Gonzalez