Honeybee Festival returns to Downtown LaFayette on Saturday, May 30, bringing a full day of live music, food, family activities, arts and crafts, and community events to Northwest Georgia.
The annual festival, hosted by the City of LaFayette, is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the Southeast for what has become one of the region’s largest and most anticipated community celebrations. Admission is free, and organizers say the event will take place rain or shine.
Festivalgoers will find nearly 40 food vendors and more than 150 arts and crafts vendors spread throughout downtown, featuring handmade goods, local artwork, specialty foods, and festival favorites.
Live entertainment will run throughout the day on the Roper North Stage and Walker Rocks South Stage from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The evening concert lineup on the Pigeon Mountain Trading Company Main Stage begins at 5 p.m. and features opening performances by Robby Hopkins and Shane Profitt before headliners Channing Wilson and The Band Perry take the stage. Music is scheduled to continue until approximately 11 p.m.
This year’s festival will also celebrate the grand opening of Traverse Park, LaFayette’s new outdoor recreation destination featuring a disc golf course, an all-wheels park, and a rock climbing area centered around a 30-foot climbing structure and rock boulders.
Free equipment rentals will be offered from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at The Outpost on West Villanow Street, along with guided climbing opportunities. Organizers say all climbers must complete a waiver, and children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Families attending the festival can also enjoy the Free Kids Zone from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., featuring bounce houses, games, a petting zoo, jugglers, and other interactive activities at no cost. A stilt walker will entertain guests from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Honeybee Honey Show will once again showcase local talent in categories including baking, photography, beekeeping, flower arrangements, and confectionary creations. Entries will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with public viewing of the entries and award winners planned from approximately 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Educational opportunities will also be available throughout the day inside the Honeybee Education Pavilion and the nearby Bank of LaFayette Community Room. Demonstrations and seminars will focus on pollinators and beekeeping topics such as supporting pollinators in landscapes, bee removal from trees, and hive beetle research and management.
The festival’s annual Classic Car Show, hosted by American Legion Post 339, returns to the south end of the festival grounds. Participants are asked to arrive by 8 a.m. with a $25 entry fee benefiting Post 339. Awards will include first place, second place, and the Mayor’s Choice Award.
Barbecue teams from across the Southeast will also compete in the KCBS-sanctioned Honeybee Festival Barbecue Competition at the Ross Abney Recreation Center. Competition activities begin Friday evening during Honeybee Eve, with awards expected to be presented Saturday around midday.
Festivities officially begin Friday night with Honeybee Eve in Downtown LaFayette. The kickoff event will feature live music from Tucker Underwood beginning at 6 p.m., followed by a community cornhole tournament with registration at 6:30 p.m. and competition beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The annual Honeybee Pageant will also take place Friday evening at LaFayette High School, with winners recognized during Saturday night’s main stage concert.
Public parking will be available throughout the downtown area, including lots at City Hall, the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library, and East Villanow Street near Gateway Drive.