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Visitors swarm to the Honey Bee Festival

Sarasota Honey Company and the Suncoast Beekeepers Association partner with Sweetgrass Farms for event to save the bees.


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 10:41 p.m. March 12, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

All things related to honey and bee conservation were on display to taste and learn about for the Honey Bee Festival at Sweetgrass Farms on Saturday, March 12. 

For the first time the festival was hosted by Sarasota Honey Company and the Suncoast Beekeepers Association as a fundraiser for the Florida Honey Bee Research Lab to Save the Bees.

Workshops with local beekeepers, vendors and informational sessions were abuzz with visitors interested in learning about bee conservation. Visitors also enjoyed picking strawberries from Sweetgrass, dressing the part of queen bees and getting a close look at an active beehive. 

Jocelyn Elkhatib gets a close look at the inner workings of a bee hive.
Jocelyn Elkhatib gets a close look at the inner workings of a bee hive.
Bob Kinney with a shirt to help bring awareness to save the bees.
Bob Kinney with a shirt to help bring awareness to save the bees.
Missy and John Bekemeyer made sure to blend in with their bee-themed surroundings.
Missy and John Bekemeyer made sure to blend in with their bee-themed surroundings.
Candles sold by the Sarasota Honey Company made from beeswax.
Candles sold by the Sarasota Honey Company made from beeswax.
Aya and Zainah Martinoli
Aya and Zainah Martinoli
Fiona Pitts and Brittany White pick strawberries at Sweetgrass Farms.
Fiona Pitts and Brittany White pick strawberries at Sweetgrass Farms.
Vendors and artists line the path at the Honey Bee Festival Saturday, March 12.
Vendors and artists line the path at the Honey Bee Festival Saturday, March 12.
Bees were on display to teach visitors about the impact of the decline of bee colonies.
Bees were on display to teach visitors about the impact of the decline of bee colonies.
Aside from strawberries, Sweetgrass farms also has organic cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes and more produce.
Aside from strawberries, Sweetgrass farms also has organic cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes and more produce.
Kimberly and Zackary Manooshian with Morgan and Aimee Angel
Kimberly and Zackary Manooshian with Morgan and Aimee Angel
Lindsey Williams with Bryon Glass and Stirling.
Lindsey Williams with Bryon Glass and Stirling.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Zoey, Christie, Mia, Kevin and Vincent Harpring made sure to dress the part for the Honey Bee Festival.
Zoey, Christie, Mia, Kevin and Vincent Harpring made sure to dress the part for the Honey Bee Festival.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Sweetgrass Farms strawberries were ripe for the picking for guests on Saturday.
Ivy Walton
Ivy Walton
Natalia and Kepler Mock dressed as bees for the event.
Natalia and Kepler Mock dressed as bees for the event.
A bee pays a visit to a strawberry blossom at Sweetgrass Farms.
A bee pays a visit to a strawberry blossom at Sweetgrass Farms.
Bees were on display to teach visitors about the impact of the decline of bee colonies.
Bees were on display to teach visitors about the impact of the decline of bee colonies.

 

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