More About INSECTIVAL by Lake County Parks
Join us for Insectival, a fun-filled day dedicated to insects! Enjoy education, observation, and investigation activities, along with food vendors, play stations, and more. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts!
Event Details: Oak Ridge Prairie County Park – 301 S. Colfax St., Griffith, IN Saturday, July 11, 2026 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM $5 per car entry – All activities included
Don't miss this chance to get outside, learn something new, and bug out with the whole family!
3rd Annual INSECTIVAL at Oak Ridge Prairie!
Mark your calendars and bring your curiosity, because Lake County Parks is buzzing with excitement for the 3rd Annual INSECTIVAL, happening Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9 AM to 2 PM at Oak Ridge Prairie County Park in Griffith, Indiana.
This one-of-a-kind celebration of all things insects promises a fun, educational, and interactive day for bug lovers of all ages. Come hungry, we’ll have FOOD TRUCKS…and Real Ant Rice Krispies to sample! Whether you're a curious kid, a nature enthusiast, or just looking for a unique, affordable family outing, INSECTIVAL is the place to “bee.”
Hands-On Fun and Crawling with Activities From worm and opossum petting to bug trail tree rubbings and craft stations, there’s something to fascinate everyone. Ongoing experiences throughout the day include:
● BUGS-I-VIEW Hayride – A rolling tour of the park with a buggy BINGO twist every hour on the hour.
● Insecti-MUSIC – Live tunes inspired by the six-legged world.
● "Bee a Bug" Chalk the Walk Trail – Get creative on the trail with sidewalk art inspired by your favorite insects.
A Hive of Conservation Partners INSECTIVAL will also feature booths and activities from a wide range of conservation and community organizations, including:
● Duneland Fly Fishers of NWI
● Lake County Purdue Extension
● Highland Neighbors for Sustainability
● Wild Ones
● Indiana & Illinois Sea Grant
● Girl Scouts
● Rose Pest Solutions
● Lake County CISMA
● The Illiana Beekeepers
● Lake County Public Library Library
● XERCES Society
● Humane Indiana ...and more!
These partners will be on-site with educational exhibits, hands-on demos, and opportunities to learn more about how insects…and the environment - impact our daily lives.
9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 Fly Casting
9:45 Munster Dance Gallery Performance
10:30 & 11:30 Bugged Out Storytime
11 & 12 Grasshopper Grooves with Dave Dolak
12:30 Fly Tying Demo
1 Nature Journaling
Just $5 per Carload Admission to INSECTIVAL is only $5 per vehicle, making it an affordable and enriching outing for the entire family. Once inside, all activities are free of charge. Concession stand eats and merchandise will also be available for purchase, so come hungry and ready to explore.
Celebrate Nature in One of Northwest Indiana’s Premier Parks With Oak Ridge Prairie’s beautiful setting as the backdrop, INSECTIVAL is a great way to start the weekend…surrounded by nature, neighbors, and some of the most fascinating creatures on earth - INSECTS!
Event Details: Oak Ridge Prairie County Park – 301 S. Colfax St., Griffith, IN Saturday, July 11, 2026 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM $5 per car entry – All activities included
Don't miss this chance to get outside, learn something new, and bug out with the whole family!
3rd Annual INSECTIVAL at Oak Ridge Prairie!
Mark your calendars and bring your curiosity, because Lake County Parks is buzzing with excitement for the 3rd Annual INSECTIVAL, happening Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 9 AM to 2 PM at Oak Ridge Prairie County Park in Griffith, Indiana.
This one-of-a-kind celebration of all things insects promises a fun, educational, and interactive day for bug lovers of all ages. Come hungry, we’ll have FOOD TRUCKS…and Real Ant Rice Krispies to sample! Whether you're a curious kid, a nature enthusiast, or just looking for a unique, affordable family outing, INSECTIVAL is the place to “bee.”
Hands-On Fun and Crawling with Activities From worm and opossum petting to bug trail tree rubbings and craft stations, there’s something to fascinate everyone. Ongoing experiences throughout the day include:
● BUGS-I-VIEW Hayride – A rolling tour of the park with a buggy BINGO twist every hour on the hour.
● Insecti-MUSIC – Live tunes inspired by the six-legged world.
● "Bee a Bug" Chalk the Walk Trail – Get creative on the trail with sidewalk art inspired by your favorite insects.
A Hive of Conservation Partners INSECTIVAL will also feature booths and activities from a wide range of conservation and community organizations, including:
● Duneland Fly Fishers of NWI
● Lake County Purdue Extension
● Highland Neighbors for Sustainability
● Wild Ones
● Indiana & Illinois Sea Grant
● Girl Scouts
● Rose Pest Solutions
● Lake County CISMA
● The Illiana Beekeepers
● Lake County Public Library Library
● XERCES Society
● Humane Indiana ...and more!
These partners will be on-site with educational exhibits, hands-on demos, and opportunities to learn more about how insects…and the environment - impact our daily lives.
9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 Fly Casting
9:45 Munster Dance Gallery Performance
10:30 & 11:30 Bugged Out Storytime
11 & 12 Grasshopper Grooves with Dave Dolak
12:30 Fly Tying Demo
1 Nature Journaling
Just $5 per Carload Admission to INSECTIVAL is only $5 per vehicle, making it an affordable and enriching outing for the entire family. Once inside, all activities are free of charge. Concession stand eats and merchandise will also be available for purchase, so come hungry and ready to explore.
Celebrate Nature in One of Northwest Indiana’s Premier Parks With Oak Ridge Prairie’s beautiful setting as the backdrop, INSECTIVAL is a great way to start the weekend…surrounded by nature, neighbors, and some of the most fascinating creatures on earth - INSECTS!
Date & Time
July 11, 2026
9:00am - 2:00pm
Location
Oak Ridge Prairie County Park
301 S Colfax St
Griffith, IN 46319
Contact Info
219.769.PARK
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