Halloween Bug Zoo Bash is Oct. 18 at OSU Wooster
The Pumpkins & Pillbugs Halloween Bug Zoo Bash will be held at the Wooster Science Building on the Wooster campus of Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., on Oct. 18. The event is free.
The Pumpkins & Pillbugs Halloween Bug Zoo Bash will take place at Ohio State University's Wooster campus on Oct. 18 from 5-7 p.m.
The free event is a family fall fest featuring the bug zoo, reptile guests, Halloween crafts and pumpkin painting. There also will be a free pumpkin for every family and a chance to trick or treat with the United Titanium Bug Zoo.
Chuy's Tacos & Margaritas Food Truck will be onsite during the event.
Erin Parker, the department of entomology office manager, said the event started in 2022 as a bug zoo open house.
“In 2023 we partnered with the Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Wooster Staff Council, Entomology Graduate Student Association and the overall CFAES Graduate Student Council to expand the event throughout the first floor of the Wooster Science Building,” Parker said.
The student association won the CFAES student organization collaboration award for their leadership and support of the 2023 event, which attracted approximately 500 attendees.
The pumpkins to be given away at the event are grown by the specialty crops entomology lab for research on integrated pest management and potential pesticide impacts on pollinator insects.
“A group consisting of entomology and bug zoo staff, Wooster Staff Council members, and graduate students from the entomology and CFAES graduate student associations will harvest, clean and unload the pumpkins,” Parker said. “We are looking to harvest 600 pumpkins.”
The bug zoo will be open during the event for viewing of the more than 40 species of arthropods. The zoo includes the insect petting zoo, which is a selection of about a dozen of the most interesting animals within the bug zoo. Trained volunteers provide attendees the opportunity to pet or hold the creatures safely.
Trick or treat stations will be set up throughout the first floor of the science building, and student organizations will have decorated tables in the building's cafe to provide a trunk or treat experience.
There also will be a quiet room for anyone who may benefit from the availability of a quiet space. The room will have comfortable furniture, dim lighting and a nature conservancy documentary playing at low volume.
“The quiet room is a safe, quiet space to allow attendees and volunteers an opportunity to recharge and take a break from the bustle of the event,” Parker said.
The Pumpkins & Pillbugs Halloween Bug Zoo Bash will be held at the Wooster Science Building on the Wooster campus of Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave. For a map of the building location on campus, visit go.osu.edu/WoosterScienceBuildingMap. Find the event online at https://entomology.osu.edu/events/pumpkins-pillbugs-halloween-bug-zoo-bash.
Donations of candy for the event would be welcome. To donate, email utbz@osu.edu.
The United Titanium Bug Zoo welcomes donations at any time in any amount. Donations help fund the community outreach program. To donate, visit https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/317019.
The event is hosted by the Ohio State University CFAES Department of Entomology, the United Titanium Bug Zoo and the Entomology Graduate Student Association, in partnership with the Ohio State CFAES Graduate Student Advisory Council, the CFAES Wooster Campus Staff Council and the ZamoBuckeyes student organization.