Dunvegan Museum launches a sweet new event for bee and honey lovers everywhere

DUNVEGAN: On Saturday, August 13th from 10 am to 4 pm, the Glengarry Pioneer Museum will be hosting a ‘sweet’ new event for the entire family… the Glengarry Honey Fair, a celebration of the importance of bees and honey from pioneer times to today. It’s estimated that bees (both wild and honey) pollinate nearly three-quarters of the crops that supply 90% of the world’s food — everything from alfalfa, blueberries and canola to strawberries, tomatoes and white clover.

Beekeepers from eight local apiaries will be on the museum grounds to answer questions and showcase their honey and other bee-related products. There will also be eight other exhibitors, including three flower growers, a farmer with organic vegetables and baking, a supplier of perennial seedlings and more. When asked what other activities visitors can expect, ‘queen bee’ of the honey fair committee, Marlie Tilker, replied, “There’s a craft corner where you can build a bee house for your garden, and presentations from honey experts throughout the day. There’s even a bee-themed activity tent just for kids.” Marlie also recommended taking a look at the museum’s bee-friendly heritage garden. She said it’s a great way to learn, first hand, which plants are best at attracting these super pollinators.

To add some suspense to the day, local food experts Julia Graham and Ronna Mogelon will be judging entries in a honey tasting competition and awarding the top “Bee’s Knees” prize and others. Last but not least, there will be a silent auction for a ‘beeutiful’ handcrafted quilt generously donated by Dalkeith quilter Helen MacDonald Joseph.

Admission is $10 per person ($5 for museum members) and $25 for families ($15 for member families). People are encouraged to come and make a day of it. There will be an on-site refreshment booth offering beverages, snacks and light lunches.

If you’ve never been to the museum in Dunvegan before, it’s located at the intersection of County Roads 24 and 30. For more details, contact Marlie Tilker at 613-525-2103 or visit our web site: GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca.