Along came a spider, a hissing cockroach, other critters and lots of kids to Bug Fest!

River Bend Nature Center hosted its annual Bug Fest! on Friday, inviting anyone interested in bugs to participate in a wide array of crafts, activities and information stations.

Participants got to pick their favorites in hissing cockroach races, sample edible bugs and even get an up-close look at venomous local spiders, including a brown recluse and a black widow.

Kids who attended and dressed as their favorite bugs got to take part in the costume contest while those brave enough to go out hunting for insects, arachnids and other arthropods could compete in the bug-catching contest.

Jennica Lambert, River Bend Nature Center executive director, said Bug Fest! helps people interact with local wildlife in a way they otherwise might not get the chance to.

“Our mission is to connect people to the natural environment of Texas, and part of doing that is events like this," Lambert said. "So Bug Fest! is all about getting people connected with insects."

Lambert added that seeing and interacting with local bugs can help remove some of the fear some people might have toward bugs.

“A lot of people are afraid," Lambert said. "The best way to get over that is to, you know, get to know, learn about them."

Lambert added that educating youth is a critical part of the center’s mission.

“Our biggest thing is getting kids specifically connected with their world because if they don’t care, no one’s really going to protect it,” she said.

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This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Local bugs fascinate kids at River Bend's Bug Fest in Wichita Falls