Hullabloom Fest on April 26 celebrates spring at The Gardens
Learn ways to help pollinators during a morning of fun and education
The community is invited to attend Hullabloom Fest on April 26 and, like butterflies fluttering from bloom to bloom, experience how spring changes natural spaces, specifically the Leach Teaching Gardens at The Gardens at Texas A&M University.
The free, family-friendly event will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Leach Teaching Gardens at 556 John Kimbrough Blvd., College Station.
The annual festival will highlight pollinator-themed activities such as a butterfly release, pollinator-inspired crafts, and educational activities and exhibits, said Michael Arnold, Ph.D., director of The Gardens and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Horticultural Sciences.
“The Hullabloom Fest is a chance for the community to come out and enjoy The Gardens with its beautiful spring blooms and see the pollinators that play an important role in agriculture,” Arnold said.
Here are six ways to learn more about pollinators and pollinator-attracting plants as you stroll through The Gardens:
1. Learn about the life cycle of a butterfly
In addition to a butterfly release, many of this year’s activities highlight the entire life cycle of a butterfly.
“We love to celebrate beautiful butterflies, but new this year are crafts and activities that focus on their entire lifecycle. For example, learning what they look like as caterpillars and the types of plants you can find them on,” said Kat Grier, education and outreach coordinator for The Gardens.
2. Be part of our biggest butterfly release yet
The popular butterfly release will have even more butterflies this year, Grier said. It includes several species native to the Brazos Valley, such as swallowtails, painted ladies and red admirals.
Visitors can register at a sign-up table throughout the Hullabloom Fest to participate in the 11 a.m. butterfly release.
3. Explore bees and beekeeping
Bees are important pollinators of many fruit, vegetable, fiber, nut and hay crops.
The Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab will showcase honeybee research, and if you’re interested in beekeeping, visit the Brazos Valley Beekeepers Association table.
4. Delight in spring flowers
Enjoy a spring floral demonstration by the Brazos County Master Gardeners. Learn about the different parts of flowers and create a bluebonnet craft with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Junior Master Gardeners.
5. Learn about protecting natural resources
The Hullabloom Fest also celebrates Earth Day, an international event observed every April 22 that supports environmental protection. The Texas Water Resources Institute will highlight its research and work in restoring and protecting watersheds and creeks in Texas.
6. More activities for a bloomin’ time
Enjoy refreshments at the Pavilion while the Bryan-College Station Ukulele Club plays at the Grand Arbor.
Other activities include a scavenger hunt, a story walk through The Gardens with the children’s book “In the Tall, Tall Grass” by Denise Fleming, incubator chicks by the Poultry Extension Education Program, PEEP, and a plant sale by the Texas A&M University Horticulture Club.
Make the most of your visit to The Gardens
Free event parking is available in Lot 100c or Lot 97. Directions and related information are available online at The Gardens transportation page.
Bring your camera or smartphone and share the fun by tagging #TAMUGardens.
A Sensory-Free/Quiet Zone will be available during the event for anyone who may want or need a quieter environment at any point during the event.
For more information and seasonal inspiration, visit Hullabloom Fest and follow The Gardens on Instagram and Facebook.
