Judging and setup at the fair

[apisbees]

Long day! Setting up and judging honey at the fair. they moved us this year from Our permanent home in to the arena so it was so much more work. but got it done in record time. Wish we could get more entries but some haven't started extracting yet. or it is an 1 1/2 hour drive to put there honey in the day before the fair starts and then another trip to pick the honey up the day after Plus trips to the fair to see how the did while the fair is on.
Have to stock the observation hive and take it in in the morning Final Job till Sunday other than arrange the volunteer scheduled.
have some pics and video but to tired, check back later for their post.

[jb63]

Looking forward to seeing your video and pics.

[Perry]

Me too. 

[Bakersdozen]

apis, our beekeeping club is in the same situation regarding location with longer drive times than you are experiencing. The club's philosophy is promote and encourage beekeeping, especially the next generation.  The organization strongly encourages members to enter the fair with a bottle of honey, a frame of uncapped honey, chunk honey, etc.  The club operates a booth, at the fair, to educate and answer questions, sell honey, etc.  Those that are setting up the booth always volunteer to delivery entries to the fair because of the logistics.
And of course, those winning ribbons are mentioned in the club newsletter.
I have never entered honey at the fair, but this year I sure did extract some frames of honey that were blue ribbon quality!

[Lburou]

Sounds like a lot of of work apis. Want to see your pics and video too. 

Questions:
When you set up a booth in a situation like that, are the occupants of the booths close to you in any way upset about the observation hive (meaning bees) being so close?  I ask because I may be in a situation like that to sell some honey next month.  What kinds of 'bee' things get attention?

TIA   

[riverbee]

ditto apis, looking forward to pix and video, thank you! and interested in your answer to lee, thanks!

[Riverrat]

apis, our beekeeping club is in the same situation regarding location with longer drive times than you are experiencing. The club's philosophy is promote and encourage beekeeping, especially the next generation.  The organization strongly encourages members to enter the fair with a bottle of honey, a frame of uncapped honey, chunk honey, etc.  The club operates a booth, at the fair, to educate and answer questions, sell honey, etc.  Those that are setting up the booth always volunteer to delivery entries to the fair because of the logistics.
And of course, those winning ribbons are mentioned in the club newsletter.
I have never entered honey at the fair, but this year I sure did extract some frames of honey that were blue ribbon quality!

I used to go up and work the Kansas honey producers booth at the state fair every year. Not sure why I haven't in the past few years its lots of fun.  And the great thing is the state fair gives us the exclusive rights to sell honey at the fair.

[apisbees]

Had to set up the observation hive and take it in this morning. The hive in the back yard, single deep with enough bees to populate a double deep and these girls leave piles of propolis on the top and ends of frames and didn't find the queen till the ninth frame so my fingers were covered with propolise by then. I Had to mark the queen so picked her up by the wings and then holding the 2 legs, I didn't want to stick her up with propolise so was trying to hold her lightly to mark her. I wasn't holding her tight enough and she slipped one leg and started to turn around so I released her back onto the frame. Then she started running looked for her again but with so many bees in the hive they were stacked 2 and 3 layers deep on the frames. Then the bees got Pissy! Down right aggressive! I put the veil on after receiving 6 stings to the head another 6 to 8 in each hand arm and fingers. They were so agitated that I also received 3 through my blue jeans into my legs. So I put the hive back together and got the bees from another hive.

Got the bees and queen into the hive and delivered it to the fair. The first volunteers were already at the fair so I dropped it off and went to park and hike back over to the bee display. When I got back they informed me that there was a small hole that the bees could escape from but they had already came up with a solution, Shanta had plugged the hole with the gum he had been chewing. Problem solved. Found one more hole and plugged it with paper towel I hope bees don't chew gum could have more escaping bees. Note to self Buy more bubble gum!

[riverbee]

..........too funny apis! not funny about the stings and the pissy bees, just the description of your adventure with the queen, and the bubble gum! 

[LazyBkpr]

When the queen gets alarmed things can get ugly fast..

   I have a little two frame observation hive, and have found that for a day or two it is a fantastic attention getter.  I do have to make sure it is secured in some way to the table..   A screw, a strap or velcro under the base..   Kids get excited, but its excited adults I have had more trouble with....

[apisbees]

A 2 foot by 12 inch plywood box 20 inches high filled with a bout a foot of gravel then the hive is screwed down onto it. You would pull the hive apart before  knocking it over or tipping it off the stand although I have seen them try.
I was to the fair in Salmon Arm last year and they had the hive on the end of a folding table If you leaned on the end of the table the legs on the other end would leave the ground. I moved it to the center of the table.

[Barbarian]

Observation hives are very popular at shows and fairs. There is always a little crowd around them. My club finds that they have to be secured firmly and have a member dedicated to answering questions and explaining what is to be seen behind the glass.

Our displays are in a section of a marquee. To avoid congestion, the observation hive(s) are located away from the entrance/exit. A neighbouring booth might object if the crowd round the observation hive obstructed access or view of their booth.

[Lburou]

Thanks for the heads up about locating and  securing the observation hive.