September is National Honey Month and now honey enthusiasts can celebrate this versatile sweet food and learn everything you've ever wanted to know about honey and bees when you attend the annual Lithopolis Honeyfest (Ohio's only honey festival) being held on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6.
A Bit About Honey Produced by bees using nectar from flowers, honey is primarily used as a sweetener but it also has many other uses and because it is high in antioxidants it is said to have medicinal benefits that include reducing cough and throat irritation, reducing ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders and it can also help regulate blood sugar levels.
More than 300 varieties of honey are produced in the United States with each originating from a different flower source.
Lithopolis Honeyfest A non-profit event, the Lithopolis Honeyfest strives to raise awareness of the importance of the honey bee in the pollination of Ohio's crops, educate people about beekeeping science and its industry and obviously, to increase consumption of honey.
The Fest will spotlight numerous honey-related activities including honey tasting, a demonstration of honey extraction from the comb in the hive, a hive inspection demonstration, junior beekeeping and bee beards (Yes, people wearing beards made from live bees. Don't try this at home. This demonstration will be presented by Bee Man Arnold Crabtree and Master Beekeeper Barry Conrad).
Other highlights include a Honey Bake-Off, a Honey Show (where various honeys will be judged), an American Honey Princess Pageant and Mead (honey wine) and Wine Tasting ($2 per 2 ounce sample). Visitors can also enjoy a honey brew at the Honey Brown Beer Garden.
For the children, there will be a Busy Beehive Kids Booth with crafts and games and they can ride the Bee-Line Kiddie Train that will run around the Festival grounds.
The Fest will also feature a "Sit Means Sit" Dog Training Session and there will be over 35 artisans on hand selling their wares. In addition, visitors will be able to meet and talk to a variety of beekeepers from honey farms around Ohio.
There will be plenty of free, live musical entertainment provided by various artists and groups like The Swing's The Thing Big Band.
Among the souvenirs that visitors can pick up is a Taste of Honey cookbook.
Hours for the Lithopolis Honeyfest are 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday, September 5 and 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 6. Admission is free and parking is free.
For more information about the Lithopolis Honeyfest call 614-837-2031 or get online at www.lithopolishoneyfest.com.
The Honeyfest will be held along Columbus Street in the village center of Lithopolis, Ohio. Located 20 minutes southeast of Columbus, Lithopolis is a 2.5 hour drive from Cleveland.