FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Pest Management Association (VPMA) is a bronze level sponsor for the second annual Hokie Bugfest, the organization announced.

The Hokie Bugfest, Oct. 20, presented by the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, is a festival to promote the fun and excitement of the science of entomology, according to the event organizers, and features bug-themed hands-on activities.

"Sponsorship of this educational, fun event is right in line with the Association's dedication to education in the pest management industry," said Jeff JOhnson, VPMA president.

The Hokie Bugfest will feature exhibits of live insects, from structural "bad guys" like termites, bed bugs, cockroaches and stink bugs, as well as exotic zoo inhabitants like the goliath birdeater spider, blue death-feigning beetles, African giant millipedes and a honey bee observation hive.  

"It is very important to us that the pest control industry plays a role in an event as large as the Hokie Bugfest," said Mike Weaver, Virginia Tech professor of entomology. "As this event expands, it will take on a life of its own and having sponsors we can count on year after year is important to its sustainability. VPMA members have been quick to recognize the mutual benefits of collaborating with this event as the associations and several individual companies supported us in 2011 and again this year."