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| Photo courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| The Lithopolis Honeyfest focuses on the importance of honey and the honey bee in a fun filled way. |
The Lithopolis Honeyfest is creating a happy buzz around both central Ohio and the state.
"There are no other festivals like ours in Ohio and we want to be the honeyfest in the state," said Ginger Brenning, one of the event’s organizers.
The second annual Lithopolis Honeyfest will be held Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the picturesque grounds of The Wagnalls Memorial, 150 E Columbus St., Lithopolis.
According to event organizers, "The Lithopolis Honeyfest is a multi-faceted festival with a mission to celebrate National Honey Month, experience the science and art of apiculture, and create a robust atmosphere rich in art, music, food, fun and people. Activities include live bee beard, sales of honey and honey products, educational exhibits by beekeepers and beekeeping associations, honey tastings, Honey Bake-Off, invitation-only arts and crafts, live music from a variety of genre, Busy Beehive Fun Booth, and honey-made and homemade concessions."
Brenning said last year’s Honeyfest drew an estimated 2,500 people.
"We received lots of good feedback," said Brenning. "One resident nearly shed tears of joy over the success of the event last year…The event has a positive effect on Lithopolis and draws attention to the village. It also focuses on the importance of the honey bee in our lives and agriculture."
Brenning said the idea for the Lithopolis Honeyfest sprang out of the former village market.
"Arnold Crabtree (a Lithopolis resident and beekeeper) was selling honey at the village market and suggested the village hold a honey bee festival. Charlotte Leight and I decided to run with it," said Brenning.
A royal visit
Rachel Bryson, the 2008 American Honey Princess, who was crowned Jan. 12 at the American Beekeeping Federation Convention in Sacramento, Calif., will appear at the Lithopolis Honeyfest to represent the honey and beekeeping industries as well as to promote honey and educate the public about beekeeping. She will also serve as one of the judges for the 2009 Taste of Honey Cookbook.
Bee beard
A highlight of the Honeyfest will be the live bee beard where hundreds of bees swarm on the face of Arnold "The Bee Man" Crabtree to create a buzzing beard.
"It’s an incredible sight to see," said Brenning of the bee beard. "He’ll (Crabtree) be in a screened tent for safety reasons. Kids love the bee beard and press right up to the screen to see it."
Living bee beard demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in The Wagnalls Memorial Outdoor Amphitheatre.
Other Honeyfest events
•Tours of The Wagnalls Memorial Foundation from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
•Busy Beehive Fun Booth from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for all ages featuring arts and crafts, beehive hairstyling, nail art, face painting, and hair decorating.
•Scioto Valley Beekeepers honey extracting demonstration and honey sales from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Wagnalls Dining Hall.
•Ohio State Beekeepers Association honey tasting from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
•Central Ohio Beekeepers Association junior beekeeping from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
•Honey Cook-Off, Auction and Sale from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in The Wagnalls Memorial Art Gallery & Museum.
•East Central Ohio Beekeepers Association photography contest and exhibit from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
•Wagnalls Talent Show finalists at 10:15 p.m. on the Main Stage.
•Bloom-Carroll School District Spelling Bee and Geography Bee finalists at 10:45 a.m. on the Main Stage.
• "H.T. Bee" – Hometown Buffet mascot from 10:30 a.m – 3 p.m.
•Youth Spelling Bee from 1-3 p.m. in The Wagnalls Memorial Auditorium. Entry fee is $10. Open to students currently in grades 4-8.
Music
•Dave Hawkins from noon to 1:30 p.m.
•Luxury Brown from 2:30-4 p.m.
•Swing’s the Thing Big Band from 4:30-6 p.m.
Information
Parking and admission to the Lithopolis Honeyfest is free.
For information call (614) 837-2031 or visit www.LithopolisHoneyfest.com.
