Photo by Theodora Wang

(HOPEWELL TWP, NJ) -- Mercer County Executive Dan Benson and Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County announced the 2024 Annual Insect Festival for Saturday, September 7, at Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township. The festival will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm, rain or shine. Admission is free and on-site parking is available. Through fun, hands-on activities, visitors will learn about the importance of insects in our lives and how they create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems.

Attendees are invited to view the demonstration gardens on-site and learn how insects interact with the different plants. Visitors can also learn about various methods of composting. Along the way, there will be activities designed to teach children of all ages to appreciate the diversity and essential roles of our insect friends!

“I’m looking forward to another great family event from our partners at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “Insects get a bad rap, but our gardens and our ecosystems could never exist without them.”

Photo by Theodora Wang

This year’s festival will feature educational activities for attendees of all ages, including the popular ‘Bugs in Water,’ and a Q&A with our Rutgers Cooperative Extension Horticulturist, Justine Gray. Other highlights of the event are ‘Bugs Galore,’ ‘Native Bees,’ ‘Composting,’ ‘Crafts,’ ‘Carnivorous Plants,’ ‘Insect Hunt,’ ‘Build-a-Bug,’ ‘Butterflies,’ and new this year ‘Storytime.’

The Rutgers 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. If you have home gardening, plant, turf or insect questions, you can visit our helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative extension of Mercer County, Monday through Friday, and speak with a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer.

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Mercer County Board of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension 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, 848-932-3584.