At BugFest, visitors of all ages can explore more than 100 themed exhibits, interact with entomologists and other scientists who will guide you through the intricate world of arthropods (all bugs are arthropods), or participate in hands-on activities designed to ignite curiosity and appreciation for these amazing animals. Enjoy games like Stag Beetle Battles and the Roachingham 500 or listen to live music from local bands.
If looking at all the live and preserved insects makes you hungry, you can grab a plate of unique food at the Café Insecta, where local restaurants offer a variety of free bug-filled fare, which this year ranges from mealworm mac and cheese to cricket curry.
At 5 p.m., enjoy a free screening of the Roger Coorman B(ug)-movie classic, “Attack of the Crab Monsters” (1957). Don’t shut your eyes! Watch closely as scientists become trapped on a shrinking island with intelligent, murderous giant crabs. Co-starring Russell Johnson, aka The Professor from “Gilligan’s Island” (1964-67).
Don’t forget to take time to see the Museum’s current special exhibition, “Blue Whales.” Blue whales are BIG! How big are they? They can grow up to 110 feet long, weigh up to 400,000 pounds, and have a heart the size of a small car. Dive into the details behind their mind-blowing biology and discover how these mammals became and remain our planet’s largest animals ever. Tickets for “Blue Whales” are on sale at the Box Office and online at naturalsciences.org.
BugFest is presented by BASF with additional support from Janice Swab, Murphy’s Naturals, Wegmans, Syngenta and Carter Bank.
About the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh (11 and 121 W. Jones St.) is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world. In addition to two downtown buildings showcasing seven floors of world-class exhibits, the Museum runs Prairie Ridge Ecostation, a 45-acre outdoor education and research facility in west Raleigh, as well as satellite facilities in Whiteville, Greenville and Grifton (Contentnea Creek). Our mission is to illuminate the natural world and inspire its conservation. Downtown Raleigh Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. General admission is free. For more information, visit www.naturalsciences.org.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.