LaFayette woman is the "Queen Bee" of the Honeybee Festival
Thousands of people attend the Honeybee Festival in LaFayette.
But only one woman is "Queen Bee." She works to make sure festival goers have plenty of good stuff to eat, drink, and buy.
We surprise her on this week's Pay It Forward, sponsored by the McMahan Law Firm.
"It's bigger than Riverbend." LaFayette City Manager, David Hamilton says. "I mean, we don't have the same large talent, but in terms of the crowd and the number of vendors, we're bigger."
Typically, Hamilton says there are between 200 to 250 vendors selling everything you'd expect to see at a hometown festival: funnel cake, barbeque, homemade jewelry, pictures and locally made honey.
The idea behind this festival was to get people excited about LaFayette. After a lot of brainstorming, the Honeybee Festival was born.
"Georgia's state insect is the honeybee. The honeybees plight is not unlike a lot of small towns. They're at risk, and we're trying to revitalize our town."
Cindy Hollingsworth is one of the Honeybee OGs. She's the office manager of Walker County Magistrate Court, and the Honeybee Festival's vendor coordinator.
That takes a lot of time.
"I would venture to guess it's probably 700 hours a year. I mean, she works on this all year long, trying to make it as successful as possible," Hamilton says.
Cindy's brother, Jim Powell, has been with the festival from the very beginning, which was 8 years ago. He recruited Cindy to be part of the team.
"I've been watching her all of her life. She handles a lot of things. There's no pressure she can't handle. Plus, she's worked for an attorney and the magistrate's office for years. She's seen it all."
Jim asked Cindy to meet for a festival photo op. That's when he helped us surprised her with $500.
When we asked her about her "Queen Bee" title, she said...
"Well, my family says that, but they said that before the honeybee festivals."
Why does she work the festival year after year?
"I love Lafayette. I love the people in Lafayette. I just enjoy doing it!"
Cindy says the best part of the festival is when it's over.
"Everybody's had such a good time, and everybody's so happy, and we're all so totally exhausted."
To nominate someone you think is deserving for a $500 Pay It Forward surprise, sponsored by the McMahan Law Firm, fill out the nomination form here.
