BugFest, the largest single-day bug event of its kind in the nation returns to the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences this year with more displays, more stations, more bug food and more fun.

"Downtown Raleigh transforms into a bug-centric paradise for the brave, the quirky and the curious, and it's all free," says a museum spokesman.

All four floors of the museum, as well as Bicentennial Plaza outside and the Capitol grounds, will be teeming with bugs, bug-lovers and bug experts, with more than 100 different displays and presentations, live music and more.

With bees taking center "hive" as BugFest's theme bug, the museum is adding a new Bee Zone on the Capitol Grounds featuring the ever-popular bee-bearding demonstrations, Arthropod Olympics (for kids 5 and up), representatives from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm (one of the largest beekeeping supply companies in the nation) and local beekeepers who will sell their honey.

Jim Alberti and his amazing flea circus returns as the featured guest in our Kid Zone. The new Kid Zone Stage will feature the Roachingham 500 Cockroach races, Storytime, and the Sandbox Band. Kids can also make their own bug-sational creations courtesy of the Scrap Exchange. The young and young-at-heart can even make their own funky bug antenna crowns to wear throughout the day, and visitors can purchase BugFest T-shirts in adult and children's sizes. There will also be a station on insects of the Dead Sea region on the second floor, to complement the current special exhibit "The Dead Sea Scrolls." (There is a fee to enter that exhibit.)

What BugFest would be complete without food?

"Step right up and get your Silkworm Sundae with caramelized silkworm pupae and chocolate covered ants," says the spokesman.

Cafe Insecta will take on a more gourmet flair this year, with not one, but four local chefs from restaurants like Jujube in Chapel Hill and Dos Taquitos Centro in Raleigh, making bug-inspired delights throughout the day. Traditional food and drink are also available for sale.

This year's featured guest and keynote speaker is Dave Gracer, entomophagist extraordaire. Gracer is a teacher, writer and president of Sunrise Land Shrimp, the edible insect company and quite the expert on bug-eating.

He will give three presentations in the WRAL Digital Theater titled, "Entomophagy so Far" at 11 a.m, "The Planned Future of Entomophagy" at 2 p.m., and "Insects and Cultures" at 5 p.m.

Evening Insectival

There's plenty for the entire family to enjoy at BugFest, but the Evening Insectival will take on a more adult flair from 5 to 9 p.m. with more grown-up activities than ever before.

"Bring out the competitor in you at the Stag Beetle Battles, where people dress up like beetles and battle it out on a pedestal joust," says the spokesman. "Check out the Beehive hairdo contest, courtesy of Marigold Parlour, and lots of live music."

On the plaza, live music continues on the Jones Street stage, and visitors can participate in evening bug hunts every 20 minutes starting at 7 p.m.

Folks with a good pitching arm can test their skills as they try to dunk the museum's own Dr. Dan Dombrowski in the plaza dunking booth.

BugFest 2008 is sponsored by Terminix Companies of Eastern North Carolina.

The museum is located in downtown Raleigh on Bicentennial Plaza at 11 West Jones Street.

For more information visit bugfest.org or call Kari Wouk at (919) 733-7450, ext. 502 or Liz Jones at (919) 733-7450, ext. 523.