Pollinator Palooza at The Franklin Park Conservatory

Looking for the perfect family-friendly event to get outside this spring? The Franklin Conservatory is holding their annual Pollinator Palooza in honor of National Pollinator Week. 

My family and I LOVE attending this event and the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate our local gardens makes it that much more special. Pollinator Palooza has a variety of learning opportunities, the chance to connect with local pollinator advocacy organizations, crafts, music, garden tours, and more to enjoy.

This is a free event, open to all, no tickets required! Note that the event will be held on Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus, southeast of the Conservatory. 

The Important Details 

When: Saturday, Jun 24, 2023, from 11 am-3 pm 
Where: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory
Cost: FREE 
Ages: This is a family event for all ages 

Schedule of Events

Organization Fair & Activities | 11 am–3 pm

Stop by pollinator-centric booths from the Conservatory and participating organizations for activities, crafts, games, and more! The full list of participating organizations is below.

Exploring Pollinators in the Garden | 11am & 1:30pm

Take a walk in the garden and observe bees in action. Led by Denise Ellsworth, the Program Director of Honey Bee and Native Pollinator Education, OSU Extension.

Food Demonstration | 11am-3pm

Taste delicious foods made with ingredients that are only possible thanks to pollinators. Led by the Conservatory’s Culinary & Sustainability Educator, Heather Bell.

Plant Sales | 11am–3pm

Natives in Harmony and Scioto Gardens will have a variety of native plants for sale

Live Critters | 11am-3pm

Get an up-close look at local wildlife with The Bugman and For All Species

Live music from Greg Greyson | 11am–3pm

Greg Greyson plays a unique blend of soft rock with jazz overtones

Food Trucks | 11am-3pm

Machi Hibachi | Taquitos Food Truck | Turtle Island | More to be announced

Participating Organizations

Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center/Center for Applied Plants

 | The Bee Collective

 | The Bugman 

| Child Development Council of Franklin County

 | Central Ohio Beekeepers Association

 | Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks 

| Columbus GreenSpot 

| Columbus Recreation and Parks 

| Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

 | Dawes Arboretum

 | East Central Ohio Beekeepers Association 

| For All Species 

| Franklin County Master Gardeners Volunteers 

| Franklin County Public Health 

| Gahanna Herb Center

 | Gahanna Plant Library

 | Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council 

| Grange Audobon Center 

| Greater Columbus Growing Coalition

 | Hinton Apiaries 

| Kiwanis Club of Columbus 

| LEAD for Pollinators

 | Love Your Alley

 | Natives in Harmony 

| Ohio Department of Transportation

 | Ohio History Connection

 | Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

 | Ohio State Beekeepers Association 

| Ohio State University Extension

 | Ohio Wildlife Center 

| Red Beard Bees

 | Scioto Gardens