UNIVERSITY PARK — The 19th annual Great Insect Fair has outgrown its former home.

This year, the fair will be held at the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s campus and will feature hundreds of live bugs and thousands of preserved specimens.

“You’ll never see anything like this in Pennsylvania,” said Steve Jacobs, urban and public health entomologist at Penn State and chairman of the fair.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and will provide and family friendly atmosphere.

Jacobs expects to see more than 12,000 people attend the event and said he thinks the venue change from the Snider Agricultural Arena could also draw more exhibits on the bigger stage.

“All around, if you look at it, it’s a much better venue,” he said.

He said a major part of the fair is clearing up misconceptions about insects and explaining how necessary they are in the ecosystem.

“We want to give people an appreciation of how much diversity there is in entomology,” Jacobs said.

Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge will display his exotic insects and anthropods and make presentations throughout the day.

Other attractions include: a butterfly tent, insect Olympics that features racing dung beetles, Build-A-Bug Contest in which attendees may bring their homemade insect for judging and a chance to win prizes, minigolf, arts and crafts, face-painting and live music.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted to help defray costs. Parking is free in the lots by the Bryce Jordan Center.

Matt Morgan can be reached at 235-3928. Follow him on Twitter @MetroMattMorgan