Almost 600 Bug lovers of all ages turned out in droves for the 4th Bugfest on Saturday 8th August at Bucklers Mead Sports Centre in Yeovil. Visitors from all over the country were treated to an audience with creepy crawlies and some were even brave enough to overcome their phobias by holding large spiders and snakes. Children were treated to a climb up the climbing wall and many made buggy badges, masks and bookmarks.

The event was formally opened by Yeovil Town Mayor, Wes Read who held a salmon pink bird eating tarantula measuring at least 9 inches across. He commented on the sheer volume of people who attended saying, ‘It’s amazing how far people will travel for a day like this, which has been really well organised and caters for all ages and levels of interest, from beginners to experts.’ Visitors from as far away as Scotland made the effort to visit Yeovil because of their interest in bugs.

Traders from across the country came to show off and sell creepy crawlie companions to novices and experts alike. The President of the Herpetological Society said, ’This is a wonderful way of engaging a whole new generation into nurturing and keeping bugs.’

Organiser Kara Wadham was extremely pleased with the turn out for this event stating, ’I now believe we have a winning formula. The new venue was more accessible, we had a fantastic range of exhibitors and traders and there was an incredible amount for children to do at very low prices.’