Hershey Gardens’ Bug-O-Rama Brings Families Face-to-Face with Creepy Crawlies
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; August 26, 2025
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For nearly a decade, Hershey Gardens’ annual Bug-O-Rama has given families the chance to get up close with creatures they may never encounter in their own backyards — from hissing cockroaches to jungle nymphs, tarantulas, and exotic praying mantises.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see some creatures that you might normally not get to see sometimes,” said Denise Morrison, Lead Butterfly Atrium Associate at Hershey Gardens.
While some visitors may arrive squeamish, Morrison says many leave with a new appreciation for insects — even the Madagascar hissing cockroach. “They’re not that bad because, first of all, they’re very clean, actually, insects. And they help clean up the planet. They eat all that stuff that falls to forest floors… so we should really be giving these cockroaches a big thank you instead of an eek,” she explained.
This year’s Bug-O-Rama, now in its ninth year, will also feature a new guest — representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s tick and mosquito outreach program. Morrison says she’s excited to see how their interactive displays will help families better understand disease-carrying pests that live much closer to home.
The day isn’t just about bugs, though. Families can take part in arts and crafts, drawing opportunities, and hands-on encounters with insects — activities Morrison says appeal to both children and adults.
“Like it or not… they far outnumber the humans on this planet, so you really can’t avoid them,” Morrison said. “It’s good to get educated, to understand how vital they are for our survival… not just as pollinators, but as cleaner-uppers that keep the planet healthy.”
Bug-O-Rama takes place Sunday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hershey Gardens