Bee Fest returns to Belle Isle Nature Center for National Honey Bee Day

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It's hard to bee-lieve but our winged, pollinating friends are in danger. Stings, doesn't it? Thankfully, there are plenty of well bee-haved individuals who strive to protect the hive with a little education and honey. Lots of honey.

To celebrate National Honey Bee Day, Belle Isle Nature Center will host its third annual Bee Fest on Aug. 18.

The event will focus on beekeeper talks, local honey tasting, demonstrations, and lessons in the art of maintaining a bee-friendly garden. Singer-songwriter Joe Reilly will perform as a pairing to Joseph Ferraro's macro photography of bees at work and chalk artist David Zinn will create buzzworthy works on site. Children are also invited to partake in a bee costume parade and Rochester-based Harding Honey will offer locally sourced beeswax products.

“Honey bees are facing many serious challenges in today’s environment, including mites, viruses, diseases, and pesticides,” says Amy Greene, nature centers director for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). “This event is a fun way to educate the community about what is happening with bees and how we can all help.”

Bee Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free for all ages. For information, visit belleislenaturecenter.org.