Bug Fest set for Saturday in Batavia, North Aurora

In 2010, when the Fox Valley Park District was pondering a new nature-themed, outdoor family event, the conversations went something like this:

"Bugs? We usually try to avoid them. Do you think people will come out to an insect-inspired event where the main attraction is … bugs?"

Nearly 5,000 visitors later, the answer is a resounding "yes!"

On Saturday, Bug Fest celebrates its fifth anniversary and there's a buzz of anticipation - because this event is not only fun for the family - it's free!

And while its popularity draws swarms of guests, there's plenty of room to spread your wings between Red Oak Nature Center, Lippold Park and the one-half mile of Fox River that connects the two.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., insects will be the star attraction once again.

"Bugs are weird, wild, fascinating … and often misunderstood," said Margaret Gazdacka, facility manager at the Red Oak, which features 40 acres of riverside woods, prairie and wetlands where hundreds of thousands of bugs call home.

Pesky as they can sometimes be, bugs are part of everyday life. Most of them are not all that bad - and spiders are pretty cool, if you ask me - although I can't think of anything nice to say about mosquitoes and deer flies.

"Actually, insects are pretty amazing creatures - and many of them play a huge role in nature," Gazdacka said.

Bug Fest is a family-friendly, stroller-friendly morning of interaction that the kids - and parents as well - will find to be educational, with plenty of fascinating facts to be learned. Bug-related activities and live demonstrations from insect experts will provide the creepy-crawly fun.

Learn about the benefits of bugs and the important roles they play such as pollinating plants and flowers, aerating the soil and serving as major players in the food chain.

One in three bites of food we eat is directly dependent on insect pollination: apples, cucumbers, pumpkins, avocado, almonds, zucchini and blueberries to name a few.

Local beekeeper Harry Patterson will explain the honeybee's integral role in nature during ongoing presentations at the Predator Pavilion near Red Oak. Harry also will discuss how bees make honey and have various varieties of his home-hive honey available for sale.

Red Oak will feature free presentations - at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon - by Tony the Bug Whisperer, who will lead audiences like the pied piper into jokes, stories and horrifyingly hilarious pranks.

In the shelter at Lippold, Terminix will have an extensive bug exhibit at its "Insect Zoo," with a host of displays and insect collections, including cool bug artifacts. Professor Marvel's Amazing Flea Circus and Magic Show will stage its self-titled "smallest show on Earth" at 10 and 11 a.m. under the big tent.

In between and at the two facilities, a bonanza of bug activities awaits. Guests can visit six discovery stations and do net sweeps for insects in the picturesque prairie.

Subway will be on site at Lippold selling small sandwiches, chips and drinks. Transactions are cash only.

Park at either Lippold Park, 2001 S. River St., Batavia or Schneider Elementary School, 304 Banbury Road, North Aurora. There is no parking at Red Oak, but free shuttle buses will run regularly between Red Oak and Schneider. Free guide books are available, with event T-shirts and books for sale.

Did you know that some male spiders pluck their cobwebs like a guitar to attract female spiders? Or that dragonflies can fly up to 50 mph? Did you know a honeybee visits 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey?

Those are some cool insects - and they're pretty excited that a festival is again being held in their honor.

For more information on Bug Fest, visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org or call Red Oak at (630) 897-1808. Guidebooks and coloring sheets can be downloaded from the website as well.

Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net