Families can experience an evening of education, activities, and outdoor exploration centered around lightning bugs and other insects on June 2 as the Green River Area Extension Master Gardeners hosts the second annual Know & Glow Firefly Festival at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.
The free event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience the botanical garden after dark. Organizers said more than 600 people attended the inaugural festival last year.
A highlight of the evening will be presentations by University of Kentucky entomologist Jonathan Larson, who will discuss lightning bug life cycles and other insects. Larson will give presentations at 6:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.
Visitors can also participate in guided tours of the garden and a lightning bug safari as darkness falls. Bug catchers will be provided for participants.
Nature-themed crafts and face painting will be available throughout the evening, and several food vendors will be on site, including Libertalia – East Coast Eats, Top Dog Concessions, GoGo Goodiez, and Aja’Leena’s LLC.
Master Gardener Becky Martin said the event aligns with the group’s educational mission while encouraging environmental stewardship.
“I think the botanical garden is an important part of our community,” Martin said. “A core focus of the Master Gardener program is education. The festival night extends past plant knowledge and teaches us about caring for our environment.”
The festival is sponsored by the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, OMU, RBS Design Group, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, and the Daviess County Public Library.
Organizers encourage community members of all ages to attend and learn more about the insects that light up summer evenings while enjoying an evening outdoors at the garden.
