Westminster, Colo. – Butterfly Pavilion, Colorado’s only invertebrate zoo and a global leader
in invertebrate research, conservation, and education, is celebrating a major milestone —
30 years of wonder, impact, and collaboration.
To mark this momentous occasion, Butterfly Pavilion proudly presents Insectival: 30th
Anniversary Bug Bash its biggest summer event and an epic, weekend-long festival
honoring the incredible world of invertebrates, animals without backbones, from butterflies
and bees to spiders, scorpions, and millipedes. Taking place July 12–13, Insectival invites
families, bug lovers, and curious minds of all ages to experience live music, immersive
exhibits, educational workshops, a marketplace, firsthand animal encounters, and spinetingling fun.
A highlight of Butterfly Pavilion’s yearlong 30th Anniversary celebration, Insectival is a
vibrant indoor-outdoor festival that shines a spotlight on the small but mighty creatures
that make life on Earth possible — and the remarkable community that has supported
Butterfly Pavilion for three decades.
“For 30 years, Butterfly Pavilion has been a driving force behind global invertebrate
conservation,” said Ryan Welch, president and CEO, Butterfly Pavilion. “From protecting
pollinators and restoring habitats to educating the next generation and leading research
partnerships around the globe, we’ve built a legacy of impact — and now we’re celebrating
that legacy with the people who made it all possible.”
Festivalgoers can enjoy:
Entertainment & Festival Fun
• Live music and entertainment.
• Face painting, photo booth, family games, and crafts.
• Local food vendors and a buzzing beer garden.
Animal Encounters & Interactive Experiences
• Animal meet-and-greets featuring tarantulas, beetles, and more.
• Butterfly releases and cockroach racing.
• Animal feedings and garden tours.
Learning & Conservation Exploration
• Educational talks with experts.
• Conservation and educational booths.
30 Years of Global Impact and Local Roots
Since opening its doors in 1995, Butterfly Pavilion has been dedicated to protecting the 97%
of animal species that are often overlooked — invertebrates, creatures essential to
pollination, soil health, food webs, and ecosystem health. Over the past three decades, the
organization has evolved from a local treasure into a world-renowned conservation leader,
with projects spanning Mexico, Mongolia, Tanzania, Indonesia, and across the United States.
Key accomplishments include:
• Habitat and species restoration for pollinators like monarchs, bees, and tarantulas.
• Groundbreaking research on fireflies, tarantulas, dragonflies, and pollinators with
partners such as Colorado State University.
• Education programs reaching more than 106,000 students annually.
• Community science and public engagement, including the Colorado Butterfly
Monitoring Network.
• Global conservation innovation — from urban prairie restoration in Colorado to
sustainable butterfly farming in Sumatra and monarch habitat preservation in
Mexico.
Throughout 2025, Butterfly Pavilion continues to debut new exhibits, signature events, and
immersive experiences to commemorate its 30th Anniversary — all part of its mission to
protect invertebrates, inspire action, and create a healthier planet for all.
“This isn’t just a celebration of our 30th anniversary — it’s a call to action,” said Welch .
“Invertebrates are in crisis, with populations of pollinators, freshwater insects, and other
species plummeting due to habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Butterfly Pavilion
exists because these animals are essential to life on Earth, and they desperately need our
help. Insectival is our way of honoring what we’ve accomplished together while building
momentum for the future.”
Insectival 2025 Event Details:
Saturday, July 12 • 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 13 • 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO
Ticket Prices:
3
General: $22.45 Adult, $18.45 Child, $20.45 Senior, $5.00 Member (additional discounted
rates available)
Tickets and full festival details at butterflies.org/insectival/
About Butterfly Pavilion
Founded in 1995 and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Butterfly Pavilion is the first
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited, standalone, non-profit invertebrate
zoo in the world. Located in Westminster, Colorado, Butterfly Pavilion is a global leader in
invertebrate research, conservation, and education. From restoring pollinator habitats and
conducting tarantula research to inspiring over 60,000 students each year, Butterfly
Pavilion works locally and globally to protect the small but mighty animals that keep our
planet thriving. Learn more at www.Butterflies.org