SUN THISWEEK - Apple Valley May 9, 2014 23A
Thisweekend Big Bugs! invade Minnesota Zoo Special exhibit to create a buzz until Sept. 1 The invasion has started. The creepy, crawly animatronic stars of the Minnesota Zoo’s summer exhibit – Big Bugs! – have arrived at the zoo. A first-of-its-kind exhibit in Minnesota, Big Bugs! – opening May 24 – features 13 giant animatronic bugs on the Northern Trail, including a tarantula, bee, scorpion and bombardier beetle to showcase a bug’s life, and why bugs are important. A live bug display, along with several interactive and kid-friendly elements, will also be part of the experience. Big Bugs! are designed and built by Billings Productions Inc. based in McKinney, Texas, by a team of designers, engineers, sculptors and artists. Each bug moves through the use of pneumatics, systems operated by compressed air. Some of the bugs are interactive, including the pincer-controlling stag beetle and the waterspraying bombardier beetle.
The exhibit will run through Sept. 1, and is free to see with paid general zoo admission. For those who can’t wait to see the exhibit, registration for three special preview nights for members opened May 6. Big Bugs!, Northern Trail, Russia’s Grizzly Coast, Tropics Trail, Medtronic Minnesota Trail and Discovery Bay will be open for viewing on these nights: May 21 and 22: All ages from 4-7:30 p.m. with face painting and close encounter presentation at 5:30 p.m. May 23: 18-plus only (no children will be admitted) from 4-7:30 p.m. with a cash bar with wine and beer and close encounter presentation at 5:30 p.m. Registration is at mnzoo.org/events/big-bugsmembers-hours-2. The opening weekend May 24-26 will include special giveaways while supplies last, a book signing by author Bruce Giebink and photographer Bill Johnson from 10 a.m. to noon on May 24,
and the following attractions on all three days: • “Insect Faces – A Bug’s Eye Viewâ€? photo display, Tropics Trail, photographer Bill Johnson. • Big Bugs! craft activity – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tropics Plaza. • Lady bug face painting – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Plaza. • Bug encounters – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Minnesota Lodge. • Bug story time – 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Bee Hive. • Big Bugs! puppeteers – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Big Bugs! exhibit. Big Bugs! is made possible with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment, and Think Mutual Bank. More about Billings Productions is at billingsproductions.com. The zoo attracts 1.3 million visitors annually.
Big Bugs! move through the use of pneumatics, systems operated by compressed air. (Photo submitted) Big Bugs! are designed and built by Billings Productions Inc. based in McKinney, Texas, by a team of designers, engineers, sculptors and artists. (Photo submitted)
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theadspider.com Big Bugs! opens May 24 at the Minnesota Zoo, featuring 13 giant animatronic bugs on the Northern Trail, including a tarantula, bee, scorpion and bombardier beetle. (Photo submitted)
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