AUGUSTA — The Maine State Beekeepers Association (MSBA) will be holding the first annual Bee Fest at Viles Arboretum, Sunday, Sept. 8, located at 153 Hospital St., Augusta. This special event is free to all; scan the QR code “Let Us Know You Are Coming” on the attached poster to inform organizers of your intent to attend.

This outdoor field day event is for all beekeepers in Maine to gather and discuss hive management techniques and attract new “want-to-be beekeepers” to the art and science of keeping bees healthy and productive in Maine.

Maine Master Beekeepers and experts on keeping bees in Maine will be presenting over 30 demonstrations at 8 different stations showing how to keep honey bees thriving in Maine. Demonstration topics run from Demaree swarm prevention, queen rearing, new mite treatments and usage, reading frames, combining hives, guaranteeing strong winter bees, different methods for preparing your hives for winter, and overwintering nucs. Honey tasting and smoker contests with cash prizes will also be taking place.

World renowned honey bee biologist and author of four books on honey bee behavior Tom Seeley will be presenting a talk entitled “Abuzz about Bees”. Five short stories will explain his discoveries of the remarkable mutual communication skills of worker honey bees. Seeley will follow with question and answer time, book signing, and hanging around to talk about bees.

More than 200 beekeepers are expected to attend. And, in addition to the honey bee educational demonstrations, food trucks, free coffee and breakfast treats, and music will also be on scene. A 1500 square foot tent has been rented and vendors will have the best bee gear and equipment on display, according to a news release.

The MSBA mission is to promote education in matters related to bees and beekeeping, to assist its affiliate associations and chapters in promoting successful beekeeping in the state of Maine; to foster congeniality among the state’s beekeepers, and to perform all other acts appropriate to a non-profit organization in serving its members.

Please scan the poster QR code or visit https://mainebeekeepers.org/ to let MSBA know you are coming to Bee Fest.