The 4th Annual Bug Daze family festival is Saturday, May 30, 2009. Below are highlights from the 2008 Bug Daze family festival.

The 3rd Annual Bug Daze family festival was held on April 19, 2008. Below is information about the 3rd annual Bug Daze family festival held on April 19.

Dr. Arthur V. Evans, research associate for the department of entomology at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, will be on hand at the festival for an exciting presentation titled "What's Bugging You."  Dr. Evans will also conduct a book signing. Learn more about Dr. Evans and his books available for purchase in the VMNH Store.

Presentation times: 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Distance Learning Classroom

Dr. Evans will conduct a book signing immediately following each of his presentations.

Experience an exciting 'CSI-style' presentation titled "The Use of Insects in Crime Investigation", by forensic entomologist Dr. Ralph E. Williams, professor of entomology at Purdue University. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about how bugs help scientists and investigators solve crimes. Learn more about Dr. Williams and his exciting CSI presentation.

Presentation times: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Location: The Mr. & Mrs. L. Dudley Walker Lecture Hall

Don't miss the children's play "Dr. Belinda Brilliant and her Amazing Learn More Machine: Bugs", performed by Carlisle School students. Join Dr. Belinda Brilliant and her assistant, Skippy, as they use the Amazing Learn More Machine to shrink themselves to the size of bugs in order to learn more about the creatures. Join them on their adventure as they meet new friends, including Mollie the millipede, Stanley the ladybug and more.

Performance times: 10:00 - 10:15 a.m., 11:30 - 11:45 a.m., 2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Location: Suzanne M. Lacy Education Center classrooms combined

Museum educators will conduct exciting educational activities for children in the Teacher Resource Center on the Museum's lower level.

Activity times: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The following exhibitors will also be on hand at the Bug Daze festival:

• Dr. Richard Hoffman, curator of recent invertebrates at the Virginia Museum of Natural History will highlight some of the Museum's magnificent collections, and will be on hand to answer visitor questions.
• Meredith Cassell, president of the Alwood Society Entomology Student Organization at Virginia Tech will be on hand with a display of bed bugs, termites and other insects.
• Marjorie Wallace, an artist from Newport News, Virginia, will be at the festival displaying 40 of her spectacular insect paintings. 

Don't miss Curious George in costume, as he visits the Virginia Museum of Natural History during the Bug Daze festival on April 19! (as seen on Blue Ridge PBS)

Visitors to the festival will find unique bug items in the Museum Store, along with other one-of-a-kind items for all ages. The Museum's PALEO Café will also be open, with Seattle's Best Coffee and delicious menu items. Visitors can also pick up a snack or lunch at Chick-fil-A, which will be serving food at the festival.

Bug Daze sponsored by:  

	•	SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Click here to view a printable schedule of events for the 2008 Bug Daze festival.