(HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County will sponsor the 2023 “Bugs Rule!” Insect Festival on Saturday, September 9, 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. Learn about the importance of insects in our lives and how they create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems through fun, hands-on activities!

This year’s festival will feature how insects are important because of their diversity, ecological role and influence on agriculture, human health and natural resources. There will be educational activities for visitors of all ages, including the popular Scavenger Hunt and Metamorphosis game. Other highlights include “Bugs in Water,” and Q&A with  Rutgers Cooperative Extension Horticulturist, Justine Gray and Mercer Master Gardeners. Local environmental agencies and experts will offer displays and information to the public. Representatives from the Watershed Institute, Abbott Marshlands, Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association, N.J. Department of Agriculture, and more!

Attendees are invited to view the demonstration gardens on site and learn how insects interact with the different plants. The public 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 beauty, diversity, and essential roles of our insect friends.

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. For home gardening, plant, turf, or insect questions, you can visit their Helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm and Friday, 9:00am to 12:00pm, and speak with theirHelpline team.

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, N.J. Department of Agriculture and the Mercer County Board of Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations.