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KIRKWOOD, Mo.—Take a minute to look and you might find that nature provides sagas of heroes and villains every day that could rival the drama in Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is drawing up the curtain to reveal these dramas at a free event Friday, Oct. 19 at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood. Friday Night Live: Super Villains or Super Heroes is a special evening event for the whole family from 6–9:30 p.m.
“This event is designed to connect people of all ages to unexpected and often misunderstood wildlife in Missouri,” said MDC Naturalist Rebecca Rodriguez. “To some, these animals may appear to be super villains; however, a closer look will reveal that they are really super heroes because they help make Missouri a great place to enjoy nature”.
Friday Night Live: Super Villains or Super Heroes will uncover how all wildlife has a special role in nature, even ones that can annoy us, such as mosquitos. Visitors will become myth busters as they learn about creepy critters that often get a negative slant, especially around Halloween. Families will explore super heroes such as owls, spiders, bats, and even cave life.
Activities include an owl presentation at 6 p.m., hunting spiders by eye shine starting at 7 p.m., an interactive presentation of “Charlotte’s: Web of Life” with characters on the Tanglevine Trail. Kids can also enjoy hands-on experiences, such as making slime, probing mystery “touch boxes,” seeing live snakes and salamanders, embarking on a scavenger hunt, and entering an inflatable cave. MDC staff will offer free popcorn and hot chocolate.
“We want to shed some light on these creatures of the dark and enable visitors to discover how important they are to all of us and our environment,” Rodriguez said.
In true Halloween spirit, visitors are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite animal. Families should also plan to come early as some activities will be available for a limited time.
Adults can also become community super heroes by donating blood before the evening event. Powder Valley is hosting a “Super Hero Blood Drive” from 3–6 p.m. in cooperation with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Advanced registration for the blood drive is required by calling 314-301-1500 or going online at BloodCenterImpact.org. Use sponsor code 10891 when registering online. Donors must arrive with a photo ID.
Whether families want to learn all about nature’s superheroes and villains in the evening, or adults want to become superheroes themselves by donating blood in the afternoon, Friday Night Live at Powder Valley Oct. 19 is a can’t-miss event.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-44 and I-270. For more information, call (314) 301-1500, or go online to https://tinyurl.com/ya3hdowo.
