Hamptons Art Hike And Tick Wise Poster Contest Raising Awareness For Tick Bite Safety

Tick Wise Education president, April Nill-Boitano, MSEd, and East End Tick & Mosquito Control president, Brian Kelly, are joining forces to present a special Art Hike for Tick Awareness at the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) in Bridgehampton. The free family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This past spring, Tick Wise Education, whose mission it to educate children and parents about the dangers of ticks, invited Suffolk County students to create artwork based on the lessons they learned during Tick Wise Education’s programming to raise awareness for tick bite safety through art. “A picture is worth a thousand words, especially to people who are visiting our island who do not speak English,” Nill-Boitano noted. “With the creation of colorful and informative posters, the students I have taught demonstrate what they know about tick bite safety and awareness by teaching others through drawings.”

These pieces were entered in a Tick Wise Poster Contest established by Nill-Boitano and Legislator Bridget Fleming, and will be displayed on the idyllic back lawn of SOFO during the Art Hike.

“The Art Hike for Tick Bite Awareness is a celebration of the children’s artwork that serves as a public safety message for our community and visitors to our community,” Nill-Boitano explained. “These posters will be showcased throughout Suffolk County in local public park kiosks with important messages like ‘always be prepared,’ ‘protect your pets from ticks,’ ‘CAUTION: avoid long grass or get ticked,’ and most importantly ‘check your body for ticks every night!'”

Hike attendees will have the chance to traverse through the spectacular rear grounds of the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center. Local experts will be onsite to discuss tick bite prevention strategies, as well as how to check for ticks, tick check and removal tips. Attendees can also learn about Tick Wise Insect Repellent, an essential oil repellent brand, founded by Lisa-Jae Eggert of Three Mom’s Organics.

“The art hike is one of our favorite events during the summer season! The kids created the posters in the spring and it’s always so fun to see all the creativity and ideas they came up with,” Kelly and Nill-Boitano added. “We’re super excited to have Lisa-Jae-Eggert of Three Mom’s Organics this year. She’ll be giving out samples of her tick repellent and local experts will be sharing tick bite prevention strategies.”

Additionally, the Tick Wise Poster Contest winners will be announced at the Art Hike.

South Fork Natural History Museum is located at 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. For more information, visit tickwise.org.