Join our beekeepers Doug & Ramona Morris and the Beekeepers of Northern Shenandoah as they perform Sky Meadows State Park's annual honey extraction on August 18, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Beekeeping at Sky Meadows State Park
Enjoy displays about the Art of Apiculture (beekeeping) and honey bees. Learn the importance of honeybees and why we need to work to conserve them.
Apiculture or beekeeping is the preservation of honey bee colonies, generally in hives, by humans. An apiarist or beekeeper keeps bees with the purpose of collecting honey and other products from the hive (including beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly), to pollinate crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers. A location where bees are kept is called an apiary or "bee yard"; we have four hives here at Sky Meadows in our bee yard for education, conservation, and to help with pollination.
Honey extraction is the primary purpose in beekeeping; the removal of honey from the honeycomb so that it is isolated into a pure liquid form. Typically, the honey is stored by the bees on a regular honeycomb they build on a frame. The frames are normally harvested in late summer, when they will be most filled with honey. Learn the extraction process at Sky Meadows State Park on National Honey Bee Day; and maybe taste a bit of fresh honey.
Uncapping the honey at The National Honey Bee Day
The National Honey Bee Day program started with a single concept: to bring together beekeepers, bee associations, as well as other interested groups to connect with communities to advance beekeeping.
Support beekeeping and the Beekeepers of Northern Shenandoah by purchasing local honey and bee products from club members. For more information and details visit Sky Meadows State Park, call 540-592-3556 or email, and for general park information click here.
Sky Meadows State Park is located at 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144-0710. The park is less than two miles south of Paris, Va., via U.S. Route 50 to Route 17 South; or seven miles north of I-66, Exit 23 on Route 17 North. The park entrance is on State Route 710.
Did you know our 35 state parks are open 365 days a year? You can also find detailed information about our trails including maps with GPS way points and video guides by clicking here and selecting the park of interest.
Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or by booking on line.
