WHATELY — To celebrate the creatures that, upon morphing into butterflies and moths, will ultimately help pollinate its crops, Quonquont Farm is hosting “Caterpillooza” on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Although the farm has hosted community events in the past, this weekend marks the first caterpillar event of its kind. The Caterpillar Lab, a nonprofit based in Marlborough, New Hampshire, that is dedicated to fostering appreciation for nature through educational programs about caterpillars, will run an exhibit in the farm’s event space. Visitors can watch caterpillars crawl and munch on plants, and even molt under a microscope.
“They’re just unbelievable,” Quonquont Farm co-owner Allison Bell said. “The colors and shapes they come in, you can’t even believe that they’re real sometimes.”
Outside, the 200-acre farm will open its private conservation area for visitors. Local naturalists Laurie Sanders and Fred Morrison will guide groups through the farm, sharing its natural history and identifying any colorful critters and butterflies along the way.
While an occasional caterpillar may crawl into a visitor’s view outside, the exhibit will bring the creatures into one space.
“It’s a chance to see all these different kinds of caterpillars in one place,” Bell said. “It’s a complete menagerie of caterpillars.”
Quonquont Farm will also sell its fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers at the farmstand beside a caterpillar-themed garden. These plants rely on butterflies and moths for pollination, Bell noted.
“This is a great overlap of both what we do, what’s important for orchards and farmers and gardeners [who] would be interested in this, and what’s important for the environment,” Bell explained.
Visitors can also enjoy wood-fired pizza and ice cream. The Silo Bar will serve non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Tickets are $5 per vehicle and come with a free lemonade slushie. Parking is available at the farm at 9 North St. in Whately.
