GREENFIELD — The 10th annual Langstroth Bee Festival opens downtown on Friday evening.
Named for the Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth, who is known as the father of modern beekeeping, the festival will include bee education, entertainment, art installations, a bee-themed gift table, informational displays, honey samples, a variety of children’s activities, refreshments and a parade through the farmers market on Court Square on Saturday.
The event is based at Second Congregational Church, where Langstroth pastored during the mid-1800s.
The event, which will happen Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday, will offer everything from bee games, a Honey Bee Tea Party, crafts, face painting and a pinata for children to a living history presentation by Marc Hoffman, who will play Langstroth during a time-travel interview with Linda McInerney, artistic director and founder of Eggtooth Productions.
There will be an unveiling of a bee sculpture created by local artist and Greenfield Gallery owner Rachael Katz, and local restaurants will serve up all sorts of dishes and drinks using honey. The annual Bee Space Garden Awards will be presented, and there will be an interactive installation, “HIVE,” by Exploded View at the Pushkin Gallery on the corner of Main and Federal streets.
“Our congregation at Second Church feels a special calling to raise awareness, in a fun way, about the important role bees play in our environment,” Sandy Thomas, organizer and founder, said. “Against the backdrop of a serious worldwide bee die-off, we have a rich history with these hard-working pollinators, and want to share that history with others. And, we want to help others learn how to save both honey and native bees in the future.
“One in three bits of food is thanks to a pollinator,” she added. “If you like to eat, thank a bee.”
There will also be a spelling bee at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on Main Street on Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m.; and there will be a Bee Sculpture Scavenger Hunt through the downtown at participating businesses during Bee Week, Saturday, June 1, through Saturday, June 8.
Magpie Woodfired Pizza will serve honey pie; Thai Blue Ginger will serve banana in blanket with honey drizzle; Taylor’s Tavern will serve sticky honey garlic shrimp pasta; Green Fields Market will serve honey barbecue pork; and Artisan Beverage Cooperative Tasting Room will have Green River Ambrosia, while Ryan & Casey Liquors will have meads, honeyed bourbon and Barenjager.
6 to 7 p.m. — Pocket Park at the parking garage on Bank Row “Langstroth in the Hood” with Marc Hoffman; free honey tasting; Federal Street School bee art display.
6 to 8 p.m. — Opening reception for “HIVE” by Exploded View at Pushkin Gallery
9 to 11 a.m. — Honey Bee Tea Party; children’s crafts, games and more; free bee bags; free bee-loving plants; free honey pie; free Arizona Honey Tea and popcorn; meet costumed Sweet Bee (photo opportunity for kids); table exhibit: Langstroth hives with Starhart Hollow; Bee Ware bee baskets and silent auction; beehive observation
10:45 a.m. — Karen’s Dance Studio performance
11 a.m. — Pollinators Parade
11:15 a.m. — Break the bee pinata
11:30 a.m. — Bee games
11:45 a.m. — Langstroth’s 209th birthday with cake
Noon — Bee sculpture by Rachael Katz unveiling, with music by bagpiper Eric Goodchild
10 to 11:45 a.m. — Flight of the Bumblebee; meet Lorenzo Langstroth; Bee Space Garden Awards; bee health; bee sculpture project and background talk with Rachael Katz
8 a.m. to noon — Brass Buckle Honeybee Brunch at Hawks & Reed
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Historical Society of Greenfield exhibits at 43 Church St.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Exploded View’s “HIVE” at Pushkin Gallery
7 p.m. — Klezperanto, The Feldons and Peace & Rhythm concert at Hawks & Reed
For more information, visit Bee Fest on Facebook.