Honeybee Festival Returns to Auburn’s Legion Memorial Park Sept. 12

The Honeybee Festival returns to Legion Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 12, with a full day of music, food, art and pollinator education organized by the Auburn Creative District.
“We are excited to bring the festival back for the second year,” said Auburn Creative District Executive Director Leslie Clark. “We have lots of creative activities and ways for art, entrepreneurs and the community to come together.”
Clark said some of the day’s events are still being confirmed.
The day opens at 8 a.m. with the Honeybee Hustle 5K Run/Walk, followed by The Pancake Man breakfast at the Auburn Senior Center from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
Golden Hive Stage programming begins at 9:30 a.m. with Young Artists & Musicians, followed by Crackerjack Gymnastics at 11:30 a.m. The Hive Mind Song Writer Series takes the stage from 1 to 10 p.m., led by Auburn’s own Logan Merz of the Welcome Hunters.
Visitors can be on the lookout for the Buzz & Bloom Expo artisan vendors, a Kids Market for young entrepreneurs and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab demonstrations throughout the day. Bee Lab sessions at the picnic pavilion cover encaustic painting with beeswax, honey production, pollinator biology and pollinator-friendly garden design.
Food trucks will set up at 10th and “I” streets from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., while a beer garden east of the concessions area opens at noon and runs until 10 p.m., with beer and cider flights from available.
Afternoon activities include the Busy Bee Zone from noon to 4 p.m., an art tent on the main park sidewalk from 3 to 4 p.m., a foam party in the City Hall driveway from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and a honeybun eating contest at 6 p.m.
“This was all just so much fun last year and we are so excited to bring it back to Auburn,” Clark said.
Some activities, food and items require purchase. The festival is supported by Grow Auburn and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.
New Children’s Book Debuts at Festival
Clark also said a new children’s book following the adventures of a honeybee who finds herself in Auburn will make its debut at the Sept. 12 festival.
“Blossom Finds a New Hive,” aimed at the pre-K crowd, began as a concept in Clark’s head. Author Anissa Dawn and illustrator Reagan Wiess brought it to life.
“It’s a beautifully done story with scenes from Auburn,” Clark said. “We can’t wait for the community to see the finished product.”