Monroe County Parks and Recreation

09/26/2026

Consider this your invitation from Bloomington’s largest praying mantis.

Bug Fest brings together live insects, games, crafts, educational displays and activities for a day dedicated to the tiny creatures all around us.

Saturday, Sept. 26
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Karst Farm Park
Free admission



Video description
A Parks staff member in a praying mantis costume appears at Karst Farm Park to promote Bug Fest. The video highlights the event and invites viewers to attend the free, all-ages celebration of insects and spiders.

09/24/2026

T-minus 2 days until Bug Fest! Come out to Karst Farm Park this Saturday from 10a - 2p!

Bug Fest 2026 is just 1 week away! Karst Farm Park with be packed with bug-themed activities for the whole family next Saturday. Here's your to do list.

✅ Visit Karst Farm Park between 10-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26.
✅ Cheer on your favorite mealworm at the mealworm races.
✅ Bring a non-perishable food item for the Hoosier Hills food drive.
✅ Use your creativity to make some art like a watercolor spiderweb.
✅ See some of WildCare's wildlife residents.
✅ Use the sun to create a cyanotype.
✅ Enjoy live music from John Kogge.
✅ Learn how to use iNaturalist to be a citizen scientist and find out if the Hoosiers or the Boilers won the BioBlitz happening right now.
✅ Make a craft like a monarch caterpillar bracelet or a roly poly that can actually roll up!
✅ Grab a tasty lunch from one of the local food trucks.
✅ Learn about praying mantids, monarch butterflies, fireflies and more at the booths.
✅ Listen to the stories told by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild at noon.
✅ Compete with a friend or family member at the pollinator races.
✅ Meet a hissing cockroach.
✅ Show your buggy spirit by getting your face painted.
✅ Watch and learn as WonderLab builds a bug at 1:30 p.m.
✅ Stop by the Welcome Tent before you leave where children can pick up a buggy pencil or toy to remember the day.

More details can be found on our event page. Find it by searching "Bug Fest Karst Farm Park."

Bug Fest is brought to you by Monroe County Parks and Recreation, WonderLab, and Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Karst Farm Park is managed by Monroe County.

Details:
Bug Fest 2026
Karst Farm Park
2450 S. Endright Rd. Bloomington, IN 47403
Saturday, September 26, 2026
10-2:00 p.m.
No Admission Charge
All ages are welcome.

09/04/2026

‼️ UPDATE ‼️
Unfortunately, the splash pad at Karst Farm Park is still under maintenance and will remain closed for the weekend. We will see you next season!

08/27/2026

The Karst Farm Park Splash Pad will be temporarily closed for maintenance. We will post once it’s back up and running.

08/11/2026

07/17/2026

We had a great time at the Grand Opening of the Turf Fields at Karst Farm Park yesterday! Thank you to Monroe County Council and Monroe County Parks and Recreation for the investment in our athletes and community of Monroe County!

07/10/2026

UPDATE

06/16/2026

***Quick update and reminder*** The first post was incorrectly dated. We will be out at Flatwoods TOMORROW night (6/24) at 6pm for our nature walk where we will cover the bioblitz and the inaturalist app. It will be a program that focuses on the uses of technology to broaden our understanding of the world around us and collect important observational data that is used to monitor key species.

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Join the fun with MCPR and organizations throughout the city in a fun challenge to see how many pollinator species can be documented during Pollinator Week, June 21-28. It is easy to join our BioBlitz and making observations on your own using the iNaturalist app. You simply take a picture of a pollinator (bee, butterfly, bat, etc.) or plant, and the online community will help identify the species. Join the BioBlitz here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/bee-city-usa-bloomington-in-pollinator-week-bioblitz-2026

You can also participate with us by exploring the nature and wildlife throughout Flatwoods Park on 6/24 at 6pm for an introduction to inaturalist and a guided hike with our naturalist.

For more info on Pollinator Week and Bee City visit: https://bloomington.in.gov/parks/parks/bee-city