The Maine State Beekeepers Association will mark its 50th year with the 2026 Bee Fest, a free public celebration of bees, beekeeping, honey, and Maine’s pollinator community.
The event will be held Sunday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Viles Arboretum, 133 Hospital Street, Augusta, Maine. Bee Fest welcomes current beekeepers, people considering their first hive, families, gardeners, food enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the vital role honeybees play in Maine’s environment and agricultural landscape.
The event will feature guest speaker Lincoln Sennett, of Swan’s Honey, who will share insights from his experience in beekeeping and honey production. Attendees will also have an opportunity to speak with the State Apiarist Jennifer Lund, learn practical information about getting started in beekeeping, and connect with members of Maine’s beekeeping community.
The day’s activities will include hands-on demonstrations, opportunities to learn the fundamentals of beekeeping, a honey contest, raffle, food trucks, and beekeeping vendors on site.
Admission is free. Free parking will be available at the park-and-ride lot on Piggery Road.
“Bee Fest is an opportunity for the public to meet local beekeepers, learn directly from experts, and celebrate the role honey bees play in our farms, gardens, and communities,” said Elizabeth Goodwin, President of the Maine State Beekeepers Association.
For more information about the 2026 Bee Fest and the Maine State Beekeepers Association, visit the organization’s website.
