The Natural History Museum of Utah Announces BUGfest 2023–Featuring Bees

SALT LAKE CITY, JULY 29, 2023 – There is a buzz in the air! BUGfest is happening at the Natural History Museum of Utah on August 12 & 13, 2023! Join us in Salt Lake City on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The theme of this year’s festival is bees, and we’ll celebrate the Beehive State’s favorite invertebrate and the nearly 1000 bee species that sustain our state’s diverse ecosystems. 

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” said Dr. Jason Cryan, executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah and Entomologist. “Insects are an essential part of our ecosystem, playing unique and vital roles. BUGfest celebrates Entomology and inspires curiosity in the beautiful world of bugs! We are so excited to give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with inspiring and interesting insects.” 

Don’t miss Dr. Cryan’s talk, “Mild-Mannered Mini-Monsters," on both Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Cryan's research has taken him around the globe, conducting fieldwork on planthoppers, spittlebugs and treehoppers in more than twenty tropical countries throughout Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. 

BUGfest 2023 delves into the huge world of tiny invertebrates! Event features include experts, edibles and artistic endeavors. Here are some highlights:  

• Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Executive Director, an Entomologist and self-proclaimed “Bug Guy” speaks on the weird and wonderful world of treehoppers. 

• The Entomology Showcase with exquisite displays of insects and experts to tell you what’s what. 

• The Famous Bug Bar, for the chance to tickle your taste buds with some bug-a-licious bites. 

• Facepainting, crafts and interactive learning opportunities for budding bug-lovers. 

"Bugfest is a wonderful opportunity to share our entomology collection with the public," said Christy Bills, NHMU entomology collections manager for 25 years. "I love sharing the history, geography, taxonomy and biographies behind our hundreds of thousands of specimens. We hold these specimens in trust for the people of Utah and researchers worldwide. And we just got a fabulous new accession that we're excited to show off! There really is something for everyone!" 

The two-day festival will also include a Sensory-friendly room for quiet and comfortable space; a dedicated member entrance and giveaway; and a special gift for new NHMU members!  

To learn more about the event and view the schedule, visit https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/bugfest-2023-saturday.  

The festival is included with museum admission and free for Museum Members and University of Utah faculty, staff and students. Admission also includes access to the museum’s current special exhibition, Wild World. To reserve tickets, visit https://nhmu.utah.edu/welcome.  

### 

About the Natural History Museum of Utah   

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year.