Lorain County Beekeepers Association features Wizard of Buzzz display at Lorain County Fair
The Lorain County Beekeepers Association returned to the Lorain County Fair, 23000 Fairgrounds Road in Wellington, in barn 29 with a Wizard of Buzzz theme from the Wizard of Oz.
Guests who visit the barn can journey through a small taste of Oz while browsing products made from members and beekeepers of the organization.
According to Marilyn Teeple, president of Lorain County Beekeepers Association, the group changes the attraction theme every two years, and the Wizard of Buzzz has been a well-received theme during its course.
“We pick a theme, and we try to put a bee spin on it,” Teeple said.
With the Wizard of Oz on repeat for guests to sit and watch, the attraction also features the popular Bee Maze for youngsters made up of around 500 bee buses used to transport bees.
Mannequins of many characters like Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West and Scarecrow, can be seen along the wall within a display featuring local-made products like honey and wax, Teeple said.
“We do have two educational booths, and that changes every year,” she said. “This year is about cooking with honey and our youth education program.”
The Lorain County Beekeepers Association also has a table full of information on upcoming events and programs.
People interested in becoming beekeepers can even sign up for classes.
According to Teeple, the organization serves as a prime resource for those interested in bees and beekeeping, but don’t necessarily know where to start.
“We’ll help you get through,” she said.
Some Lorain County Beekeepers Association members and beekeepers make products from honey sourced from their bees, like honey, candles, wax, lotion, lip balms, jams and creamed honey, Teeple said.
Honey flavors have expanded into infused flavored honey and hot and spicy, she said.
“They bring all their wares for the week, everything here,” Teeple said. “It’s all made by LCBA members.”
One of the barn’s main attractions aside from the themed display, is the observation hives, which give people an inside look at how a beehive works.
As with products for sale, the bees are sourced from a Lorain County Beekeepers Association member, according to Teeple.
“That’s a big attraction, too,” she said.
“We have been crowded every day.”
As with raising awareness about the Lorain County Beekeepers Association and its mission, Teeple said the opportunity to have space in the barn for “decades” allows patrons to learn more about honey, what it can be used for and how to support bees without keeping them.
The attraction, and its displays with products, were all created and placed by Lorain County Beekeepers Association members, she said.
“We all helped,” Teeple said. “It takes us several days.”
