Pipestem Resort State Park hold ‘Honey Festival’ and “Bigfoot Hollerin Contest’ Saturday

Often time when we think of bees or hummingbirds, we think of them as little workers in overdrive. Flying and buzzing around, working to keep the flora in your backyard prospering.

Some residents, however, came out to pipestem resort state park however in summers county Saturday, to learn a little bit more about natures pollinators. Here, presentations were given on different pollinators in the area, and the importance their roles play.

One of creatures that is part of that ecosystem, is the honeybee. Michael Tatum spoke on the stripped insects, as he has several years of experience handling them as a beekeeper.

He provides tips and advice to those interested in bee keeping, or simply wanting to educate themselves about these stronger pollinators. Tatum who has a family history of keeping honeybees says that he attends events like this to inform the public.

“My grandfather did the same thing.” Said Tatum. “He would do seminars and things like that, where people just wanted to know about them.”

Coming from a line of bee keeping, Tatum says that he feels it is vital people to attend events like this. For people not only learn about the different creatures that pollinate, but to reinstate the importance of why we need them.

“It matters what’s pollinated, because at the end of the day without them, we don’t eat.” Tatum said.

In addition to presentations with the Honey festival, the park also held its first ever Bigfoot Hollering Contest.

Participants in the contest had several categories that range from youngest caller to the loudest.

Several people were seen signing up for the event, from the young, to young at heart. While most people were there just to have a good time, an organizer for the event says that even though most of the people don’t believe in sasquatch. That mystery and the unknown is what he thinks captivates so many people.

“We have so much certainty in our lives, that a little uncertainty is a good thing.” Said Scott Hill, Activities Coordinator for the park. “The mystery is great, and when you know everything about everything it gets boring.”

While the event has ended, organizers express that they hope to have events like this again next year.