High-grade, fresh local honey, bee pollen, soaps and more will be on display and for sale at the third annual "Beekeepers’ Buzzaar" Saturday at Sunshine Mall on St. Croix.
The purpose of the Buzzaar is to promote awareness of the beekeeping sector of the agricultural industry, including the numerous products generated, its importance to our food supply and its connection to the general well-being of our community, according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture.
This year beekeepers will have honey, honey-based salad dressings, mead or honey wine, honey vinegar, lotions, lip balms, candies, candles, bees wax, bee pollen and soaps. Beekeepers will give educational presentations on safety, and there will be a question and answer station for children and prizes.
Other partners in this annual festivity include the Department of Tourism, the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service, the Small Business Development Center and the Sunshine Mall.
“These activities promote the marketing of local agricultural products – both raw and value-added – while increasing awareness of the agricultural industry," said Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen Jr. in the department’s statement.
“Market events such as the Beekeepers Buzzaar benefit the entire community by stimulating economic development, promoting small agribusinesses, encouraging increased production and circulating revenue within our community," Petersen said.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. in the Sunshine Mall parking lot and will run until around 4 p.m.
