GREENFIELD — Building off the success of last year’s event, organizers of the annual Greenfield Bee Fest are preparing for another day of events dedicated to celebrating and learning about the important role of bees.
“It’s wonderful to see it grow,” said Bee Fest founder and organizer Sandy Thomas. “We’re really thrilled about that. It’s really taken a very important place in our town.”
Bee Fest celebrates the contributions of Lorenzo Langstroth, pastor of the Second Congregational Church during the mid-1800s, who is known worldwide as the “father of modern beekeeping,” according to Thomas.
The first Bee Fest was held in 2010, with the intention of celebrating the role of the honeybee in sustaining the environment. The 12th annual event will be held Saturday, with activities from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are also a handful of events on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. A full list of events can be found online at greenfieldbeefest.org.
This year, in addition to a schedule of family-friendly events, three new bee sculptures will be unveiled at noon, bringing the city’s total to nine bee sculptures. A “Bee Bazaar” will also take place on the front lawn of the church from 9 a.m. to noon.
“We have been so grateful to have the support of our local community and businesses across the country, who are sending us very rare and unique items that are bee-related,” Thomas said. “There’s over $4,000 worth of items that have been donated.”
Thomas said she’s particularly excited about the children’s events happening on the Second Congregational Church lawn, including arts and crafts, a honeybee tea party and a pollinator parade, led by the local music group Expandable Brass Band.
For adults, Massachusetts Chief Apiarist Kim Skrym will give a talk at 10 a.m. on the state of bee health.
“Part of what we do is educate the public about pollinator health,” Thomas said. “We also make the tie-in between the environment and the food chain and supply.”
If bees don’t pollinate the fruits and vegetables, we don’t have fruits and vegetables, Thomas explained.
“If you like to eat, thank a bee,” she said.
Thomas said she hopes the events and activities on Saturday help to underscore to the community the importance of keeping bees healthy.
“The more we can put bees in front of people, whether it is purchasing something from the bee bazaar or seeing bees on the lampposts by businesses, it all adds up to keeping that awareness in people’s minds,” she said.
Thomas said she’s grateful to be part of a community that continues to recognize the contributions of Langstroth and the impact bees have on the community and the planet. She hopes those who take part on Saturday take some of what they learn home with them.
“I hope they go home and look at places in their own yards where they can plant a garden,” she said. “Gardens, that’s where bees forage. We need to feed them. And if you can, provide a water source.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.