Dragonfly lovers have another reason to visit War Bluff Valley Sanctuary Saturday.
The newest addition to the Illinois Audubon Society Shawnee Chapter's 16th Annual Insect Awareness and Appreciation Day is an old fashioned dragonfly hunt.
"John Schwegmann will talk about dragonflies and catch them so we can look at them up close," Terri Treacy of the Audubon Society said.
The festival -- affectionately known by its fans as Bug Day -- begins with registration at 3 p.m. followed by two hours of field trips.
Zoology students from Southern Illinois University will be wading the pond to see what kind of aquatic bugs they can stir up, Richard Thomas of SIU will have a microscope to see the tiny insects close up, lepidopterists from Paducah, Ky., will take people into fields to examine butterflies and moths and beekeeper Minnie Arndt will talk about raising honeybees.
Treacy says children each year seem to be most impressed with the aquatic insects.
At 6 p.m is a potluck supper which typically contains a dish or two incorporating insects, such a meal worm casserole or honey roasted bees.
The Really Cool Raffle is at 7 p.m. with chances to win insect and nature-related gifts.
At 7:30 p.m. is the Insect Open Mic for sharing poetry, jokes, riddles and songs.
At 8 p.m. RognboB will perform rowdy folk music with a Southern Illinois twist at the front of the pole barn while at the back of the pole barn is the creatures of the night insect hunt.
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To reach the sanctuary from Harrisburg drive south on Illinois Route 145, turn left on Eddyville Road, left on Bushwhack Road, left at the T and look for the sanctuary sign.
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DeNeal receives e-mail at mailto:bdeneal@yourclearwave.com
