Attendees gathered around white sheets illuminated by bright lights to observe and identify a variety of moths drawn in by the glow during Peekskill’s first annual Mothapalooza.
When the sun dipped below the horizon on Monday, July 21, something magical happened across from the Peekskill Veterans Memorial Pool. Under the glow of ultraviolet light and a field buzzing with anticipation, a community gathered. Young children, longtime residents, families, and couples alike came to witness moths flutter into the spotlight during National Moth Week at Peekskill’s first Mothapalooza.
At the heart of it all was Peekskill resident Irene Lindberg, a 10th grader at Hendrick Hudson High School, whose deep curiosity about moths sparked the idea for the event. With support and encouragement from her parents, Erik Lindberg and Courtney Williams, Irene created the proposal, pitched it to the Peekskill City Council, and gained the support of the Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).
What began as one teenager’s passion for an overlooked insect turned into a night of connection, education, and environmental wonder.
“Take an interest in the world around you,” said Erik, Irene’s father. “Because it’s precious and worth examining and fighting for.”
With a dramatic backdrop of two white sheets glowing under UV lights, moths became the stars of the night. Families and kids gathered around, snapping photos to upload to iNaturalist, an app that helps scientists study biodiversity.
Approximately 30 to 40 people came by throughout the evening, with children chasing fireflies, families gathering around the glowing sheets, and attendees of all ages learning from Irene and her family about the vital, but often overlooked role of moths in our ecosystem.
“Moths are one of our biggest pollinators,” Irene explained, “but they’re understudied and underfunded.”
For Irene, moths represent more than just scientific interest. They’re a symbol of what’s often overlooked. Her dad believes her fascination stems from their “underdog” status, a quiet beauty that deserves to be seen. And on this night, seen they were.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was matched by Irene and her parents, who made it a point to speak with everyone, answer questions and share resources from an info table filled with materials about local insects. Their warmth and knowledge didn’t go unnoticed.
“Courtney is an environmental force,” said CAC Chair Jan Melillo, who praised the family’s passion and leadership. She also stressed the importance of broader community engagement. “If we don’t get kids interested in nature, they’re not going to fight for it,” she said. Melillo hopes events like Mothapalooza will inspire residents, especially young people, to take an active role in protecting Peekskill’s natural ecosystem. CAC is currently seeking new members and volunteers to support its efforts. To learn more or get involved, email [email protected].
Courtney, who supported her daughter through every step of planning, hopes other parents will follow suit when their kids show interest in science or nature. Her advice? Learn with them. The spirit of curiosity and care is exactly what shaped the event from the start.
Even the city pitched in to help make the event a success. Dana Dapson, head of Peekskill Parks & Recreation, agreed to turn off the nearby pool’s floodlights for the evening to allow the moth-attracting lights to shine fully. As the sun set, the moths began to appear, and so did the smiles, fascination, and countless questions from the crowd.
From one teenager’s love for moths came a night that brought together generations, inspired new interests in conservation, and reminded everyone of the beauty in simply paying attention.
With hopes to host Mothapalooza again next year, Irene made sure to label this event the “First Annual.” And if turnout and energy were any indication, Peekskill may have just found its newest summer tradition — as well as a rising environmental leader to carry it forward.
