Bee Palooza 2025 will focus on our pollinating neighbors

Sharron Miller<mill3499@msu.edu> and Rufus Isaacs<isaacsr@msu.edu>, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology - July 22, 2025

This educational, family-friendly event returns to Michigan State University on August 24.

For decorative purposes. — Photo by Ronnie Miller, MSU.

The 12th annual Bee Palooza pollinator celebration is back for another un-bee-lievably fun afternoon! Presented by the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU), Bee Palooza is a free event for all ages to “bee our neighbor,” focusing on supporting Michigan pollinators and plants. Join us at the MSU Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street in East Lansing, MI 48824, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. Bee Palooza is free and open to the public, making it an accessible way for everyone to learn about and contribute to pollinator conservation efforts.

Bee Palooza promises an educational and fun-filled day for anyone interested in the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem. We aim to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pollinators and to inspire action to protect these crucial contributors to biodiversity and agriculture. The event will highlight bees that can live together or alone in nests in the soil and wood, like carpenter bees that often share our structures. 

A picture of a bee drawn on pavement using chalk. — Chalk art from Bee Palooza 2024. Photo by Ronnie Miller, MSU.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore interactive exhibits showcasing the diversity of pollinators and their habitats, learn about social bee colonies, participate in educational workshops led by experts in bee conservation, and learn practical tips for creating pollinator-friendly gardens.

Other aspects of the event include helping attendees conquer their fears at the bee petting zoo. You can try some tasty pollinator-themed ice cream, and kids—and the young at heart—can get a pollinator themed face-painting. Throughout the event, visitors can visit displays and talk to MSU entomologists to answer pollinator-related questions. 

Parking is free in most MSU campus lots on the weekends. There are accessible entrances to the gardens from the parking options to the east (Lot 54) on Bogue Street and west (Lot 46) off Wilson Road. 

Bee Palooza is possible thanks to our sponsors and the volunteers from the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University. For media inquiries, please contact us at: bpalooza@msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).