The Town of Ridgeway’s first Bee Festival was a major success, according to Mayor Craig O’Der.
Held Saturday, May 3, O’Der said the event helped bring the community together in celebration and education.
“I think the educational program put on by the beekeepers that came down from Pittsylvania County and our local beekeepers that were there — I learned a lot. I had a lot of questions … and I knew some of the stuff, but just with in-depth detail they were able to answer all the questions regarding the why and how bees improve our ecosystem and sustain our food supply. I think it was invaluable,” he said.
As the weather held off, O’Der said people were able to enjoy the day to the fullest.
“I think the young people came out and enjoyed the festivities, and we had games and food and education,” he said.
O’Der estimates more than 1,000 people attended the festival, with folks coming and going throughout the day. In addition to Ridgeway residents, visitors from Franklin and Patrick counties, and other nearby localities took part, as well as Rockingham County and Eden, North Carolina.
Ridgeway Mayor Craig O’Der estimates more than 1,000 people attended the event.
“So, I think it was really well advertised. I think in the future we’re going to have some ideas on how to get the word out more,” he said.
In addition to the festival celebrating Ridgeway becoming a Bee City USA town, O’Der said it also satisfied the yearly required educational program the town has to hold to maintain that distinction.
“At least once a year we have to have an educational program informing people about the value of bees, how individuals can help the proliferation of bees, and also if you have a swarm of bees residing on your property, how beekeepers can come and catch those bees and relocate them,” O’Der said.
Local beekeepers also discussed how bee honey is made and used an observation hive to explain the lives of bees, the queen, and her responsibilities. Environmental organizations were also on hand to discuss gardening, pollination, and wildlife coexistence.
O’Der said the Ridgeway Bee City T-shirts made for the event nearly sold out. Proceeds from the festival will support future town-sponsored events.
He also encouraged other localities to pursue Bee City status, noting that Ridgeway was the 3,037th community in the nation to receive the designation.
“We’d love to share what we’ve done with other localities, or even other parts of the county if they’re interested in getting designated as a Bee City or a Bee area,” he said.
Following the festival, the town plans to evaluate what should be incorporated into future events.
“I’d love to see a spelling bee next year maybe. Just do a spelling bee, and maybe, I don’t know, have a bee costume contest. Just a couple of ideas in the future,” O’Der said.
Looking ahead, O’Der and the town council are considering the addition of more pollinator gardens.
“The people that are involved in that are excited to do that. I think we have a little piece of land that’s between our town office and the church there on Main Street, and it’s a possible location to maybe do a small fifth one,” he said.
O’Der expressed appreciation for the support the town has received from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), crediting Resident Engineer Lisa Price-Hughes for her assistance.
“We really value the cooperation that we have with them, and the communication that we have, and their supporting our vision—the town council’s vision—of doing something to help the environment and our ecosystem with these,” he said.
O’Der said the council is also considering recognizing Arbor Day and potentially pursuing Tree City designation in the future.
