2023 Lithopolis Honeyfest

 

In Memory of Our Beloved Honeyfest Founders

~Arnold Crabtree & Barry Conrad~ 

The Lithopolis Honeyfest tradition began with an idea by Arnold Crabtree and Barry Conrad and was brought to fruition in 2007.  Arnold and Barry felt that a bee beard was a dramatic way of demonstrating to the public the gentleness of the average Honey Bee, to help calm the fears many have of them.  Many visitors have enjoyed seeing the “Bee Man” at the live bee beard display throughout our festival.  It is with great sadness that we announce the passings of our beloved founders.  

Some of you may remember that we received the sad news that Arnold Crabtree passed away on September 5, 2019, as we were setting up for the event.  During the festival we debuted the new display of Arnold’s antique beekeeping equipment and other bee related artifacts, located in the Honeyfest building at Market and Columbus Streets.  The items will remain available for all to enjoy. 

On September 30, 2020, we said goodbye to our beloved Lithopolis Honeyfest Association President, Barry Conrad.  Barry was the owner of Conrad Hive & Honey and served in many areas of the planning and success of the Honeyfest.  He was the chair of the Beekeepers and took care of most of the marketing for the event, in addition to sales at his own booth throughout the event.

During your visit, you are invited to stop by Wilson Park and take a break on the memorial park benches that have been donated by Scioto Valley Beekeepers, in memory of Arnold and Barry.  Our founders are greatly missed by friends, family and bees everywhere, but we know that they are with us in spirit every year during the Lithopolis Honeyfest.