The Antelope Island Spider Festival might not be everyone’s idea of a good time… If you don’t like spiders, you’re probably ready to close this email! But this year the festival is mostly virtual, with lots of spider-free ways to participate. With free crafts, contests, and a free swag bag, there’s plenty to keep you busy and learning.
Ready for some creepy fun? Here are some ways to enjoy the Antelope Island Spider Festival.
Credit: Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island Spider Festival
Get creative and win prizes
First up, some contests! Antelope Island wants to expand their collection of spider photos, and they want you to help. Take photos of spiders this weekend, then go here to submit them before August 1 to be eligible to win! If you don’t feel like tracking down real spiders, you can dress up as one instead. Create a spider costume and submit a picture here by August 8 to be considered for the spider costume contest.
Antelope Island has also created free crafts and activities. Complete with videos, printable files, and presentations, you can create a spider craft (or five) to share!
Scavenger Hunts
Starting on August 3, this webpage will have links to three versions of scavenger hunts. One hunt is designed to be done on Antelope Island, one at the Ogden Nature Center, and one “close to home” for those who don’t want to venture out. Both Antelope Island and the Ogden Nature Center are big, open spaces where social distancing shouldn’t be a problem (if you don’t count the spiders).
On Monday, August 3 there will be a presentation about using iNaturalist, an app to track and record wild species. Antelope Island is challenging participants to log four different species of spiders as a state-wide Arachnid BioBlitz.
Free Goodies Bags
Want some spider swag? Go here and scroll down to the form link (coming on 8/3) to share how you participated in spider week. Antelope Island will send you details on picking up a free goodie bag (while supplies last) if you participate in at least three of these activities:
- Submitting a spider poem
- Completing scavenger hunts
- Submitting observations using iNaturalist
- Tuning in to one or more virtual presentations
So follow along on the Facebook Event, participate, and have fun appreciating our local critters!
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