Anna Spadaccini (Hamilton) participates in a preview of the puppet show that is set to be featured at the the 11th annual Insect Festival scheduled for Sept. 7 at Mercer Educational Gardens in Hopewell Township.
Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is set to host the 11th annual Insect Festival.
The festival is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township.
The event is set to feature seven demonstration gardens -Annual, Butterfly, Cottage, Herb, Native Plant, Perennial and Weed ID- with Master Gardeners on site to discuss tips and display guides for recognizing insects.
Every garden is set to host an activity designed to entertain and teach children of all ages about the insects common to the Northeast.
Activities include viewing organisms through microscopes, searching for insects along paths cut through the restored meadow and visiting with native and honeybee experts.
Children have the opportunity to help paint a mural of the meadow, take a look at worms making compost in a simple container and join in a bee waggle dance used by honeybees to communicate with one another about the location of blooming flowers.
Returning events include butterfly births, Monarch butterfly tagging, insect inspection and handling, the insect puppet show, tattoos, crafts, hayrides and Q & A with Barbara J. Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturist.
Local environmental agencies are set to present with their experts and displays.
The Naturalist from Mercer County Parks is set to lead insect-related activities.
The event will be held rain or shine.
Admission is free and on-site parking is available.
The Master Gardeners of Mercer County is a volunteer educational outreach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the county, as well as answer home horticulture questions through their Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline, (609) 989-6853.
More information is online at mgofmc.org.
