FUNKS GROVE - People from all over Illinois came out Sunday to experience nature and learn more about everything that hums, buzzes and flutters.

A quick tractor ride down a scenic country road led people to the first Hummingbird Festival and Pollination Celebration at the Sugar Grove Nature Center.

Center director Angela Smith said the six months of preparation for the festival by Sugar Grove and the Illinois Audubon Society have paid off.

"It's going great so far, and we are absolutely thrilled," Smith said. "It seemed natural to have a hummingbird festival in conjunction with a pollination celebration so we can talk about some of the wonderful animals out there that help with pollination and so forth."

A full lineup of free events related to bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and moths was set up between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Visitors could participate in animal seminars, bee tracking and honey extraction, and even a pollination puppet show for the kids. A banding event was scheduled for 3 p.m., giving visitors an up-close look at ruby-throated

hummingbirds, which will be used as research tools.

Aside from the events, several vendors showcased hummingbird feeders, nature photography, potted herbs and, of course, natural homemade honey.

Jeanine Morse, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Normal, set up shop to sell hummingbird feeders and hosted seminars, which she said were packed with people and filled with tips on how to attract wild hummingbirds into someone's yard.

"Mainly you have to develop a good habitat with the right kind of shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden, and to provide enough water," Morse said. "It's also fun to put nectar feeders up."

Hummingbirds' peak months

Morse said August and September are peak months to see hummingbirds in Illinois, as new birds are being born and are getting ready to migrate south. She said the birds fly between 1,500 and 2,000 miles from North America to South America.

A combination of nature lovers and entire families were on hand for the inaugural festival, with some picnicking at one of the center's nine gardens.

"My love for wonderful birds and flowers was what brought me out here today," said Faith Mund of Pontiac. "It's just a wonderful event."

The public's reaction had organizers buzzing.

"It's good to see a lot of interest in nature with families … and have them learn more about the pollinators in our area," Morse said.

Adding the festival to the center's calendar gives Sugar Grove a big event for almost every season, with the Maple Sirup Experience in February and the Birds & Blooms Festival in April.

Smith said she'd like to see the hummingbird and pollination festival become an annual event.