Honey Fest ‘all the buzz’ for this year’s annual community fair

RANDOLPH - Randolph’s annual Community Fair is getting a dose of sweetness.

In addition to some of the fair’s traditional activities, a Honey Fest element has been added - tagging onto the town’s designation as the Honey Capital of the Nation.

ROAR (Reaching Out Around Randolph) is once again sponsoring the Randolph Community Fair set for Friday, July 7 through Sunday, July 9. Randolph’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) are the masterminds behind Honey Fest activities added to the schedule.

But the entire community plays a part to make the annual event a success, said ROAR president Angie Huwaldt.

More than 15 events are listed on this year’s schedule. ROAR hosts two. Honey Fest hosts five. All the others are sponsored and hosted by community members, organizations or businesses.

“It is entirely a community thing,” Huwaldt said. “We sponsor the fair and get it organized as far as the flier but there’s so many others involved.”

There’s a new level of excitement this year with the addition of some new events, Huwaldt said.

She also serves on the committee planning Honey Fest events and the groups worked hand in hand to come up with a schedule that offers something for everyone.

Salle Robinson, heavily involved in the planning of Honey Fest, said the annual festival honoring Randolph’s beekeeping history is not a new idea. Honey Fest was held annually in the fall for many years but was discontinued quite some time ago - at least 20 years.

EDAB wanted to add in this year’s Honey Fest activities as a way to entice more outsiders to town.

“As a group we are looking for avenues to bring people and interest to Randolph,” she said. “Those people might want to spend their money here. We want them to look around. We want to show people outside of the area how great Randolph is. We want to promote Randolph as the Honey Capital of the Nation and that makes us unique and different and why not use that? That’s what makes Randolph special.”

She said although Honey Fest seems like a small step toward attracting people to town, EDAB is also looking to promote Randolph by revitalizing the downtown area, providing way-finder signage for visitors, and potentially create a pocket park in town.

“It may feel small and not like a huge game changer but any improvement to the city, we see it as a small step to making it more appealing,” Robinson said.

The new honey-themed activities start on Friday, July 7, with the crowing of the “Queen Bee” where a community-minded woman is honored for her contributions to Randolph. Not only will the Queen Bee get a festive crown to wear, she will also be a part of the weekend’s Community Fair events.

Also on Friday, the Buzzin’ Around Town Bike Roll & Stroll, starting and ending at the city auditorium, will be open for all ages. Participants are encouraged to dress in bee costume and ride bikes, push strollers, pull wagons, drive a golf cart or walk through a designated route in the downtown area. At the end, participants will stop and ‘bee-utify’ Randolph by helping to decorate a bee outline painted on Main Street in front of the auditorium.

“This is not just for kids. We really want everyone to participate,” Robinson said.

Those interested in crafting some bee bling for the ride, can participate in a program at the Lied Randolph Public Library Thursday, July 6.

Honey Fest activities continue into Saturday, July 8, with a honey baking contest. Any food item made using honey as an ingredient may be entered by 9 a.m. near the softball field concessions. Prizes will be awarded with samples sold afterward.

An ATV/UTV “Bee Muddy” Run event originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon has been postponed until next year.

The city auditorium will be abuzz during the annual omelet feed Sunday morning as Honey Fest organizers have deemed it to be honey headquarters. Vendors will be on site to sell honey products and merchandise. Booths are still available for artists, crafters and makers.

Even with all of the new events added, the Community Fair activities that Randolph residents have grown to know and love will still take place: the library’s family fun night, livestock show, block party, car show, community barbecue and more.

ROAR will also continue the tradition of awarding the Farm Family Award, Good Neighbor Award and Employee of the Year Award.

Nominations are being taken through Monday, July 3 and can be dropped off at First State Bank.

The only activity eliminated from last year was the fun run/walk due to the ongoing Middle Logan Creek floodplain project construction, Huwaldt said.

The full schedule of Randolph’s Community Fair includes: Friday, July 7

- Citywide garage sales, maps available at Jim’s Food Center and Cardinal Express.

- Crowning of Queen Bee, 4 p.m., city auditorium.

- Buzzin’ Around Town Bike Roll & Stroll, 4 p.m. Dress in bee attire or costumes and ride, walk or stroll as a group through downtown Randolph.

- “Bee-Utify” the Bee, during the Buzzin’ Around Town, participants will stop on Main Street to help decorate the painted bee on the street - Lied Randolph Public Library Family Fun Night at the high school, starting with walking tacos meal at 5:30 p.m. Magician Jeff Quinn will take center stage at 6:30 p.m. Randolph’s FFA will host the farmer’s obstacle course in the fine arts gym after the show and the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department will be giving rides on a fire truck.

Saturday, July 8

- Livestock show, 8:30 a.m., Randolph Area Veterans Memorial Park.

- Honey baking contest and bake sale, 9 a.m., near the softball concessions.

- Co-ed sand volleyball tournament.

- Free swimming, 1-5 p.m., city pool.

- Alumni banquet, 6:30-8:30 p.m., city auditorium, advance ticket purchase required.

- Block party, 8:30 p.m. - midnight, downtown Randolph, free admission.

Sunday, July 9

- Ecumenical church service, 9 a.m. at park.

- Fireman’s omelet breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, city auditorium. Honey Headquarters - vendors selling honey products and merchandise will be on the auditorium stage.

- Randolph FFA Booster Car and Tractor Show, downtown, registration 8 a.m. - noon, 2:30 p.m. judging, 3 p.m. awards, 3:30 p.m. parade.

- Knights of Columbus Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, 5 p.m., city park, for ages 4-13.

- First State Bank Community BBQ, 6 p.m., city park. Community awards will be presented at 7 p.m. and kids’ games and activities will take place during both events in the park.