Rocky Mount’s Honeybee Festival Is Buzzing with Purpose, Flavor, and Fun

If you’re heading to the Rocky Mount Farmers Market this weekend, don’t make any plans right after. Just a few blocks away, the buzz is building—literally—for one of the city’s most vibrant summer celebrations. On Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the Honeybee Festival returns to the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences, bringing a full day of live demonstrations, hands-on kids’ activities, local vendors, and enough honey-themed fun to keep every member of the family buzzing.

What makes this festival more than just a fun outing is its educational heart. At the center of it all is a spotlight on one of the planet’s tiniest but most essential creatures: the honeybee. Through live hive demonstrations, interactive displays, and expert presentations, visitors can explore the vital role bees play in our ecosystems and agriculture. Did you know that honey bees are responsible for pollinating one in every three bites of food we eat? Or that a single hive can house over 50,000 bees, each with a unique job that helps keep our food systems alive and thriving? These facts come to life during beekeeping demonstrations, where local experts walk visitors through the structure of a hive, the importance of pollinator habitats, and how individuals—even young kids—can make a difference.

But the Honeybee Festival is more than a science lesson—it’s a full-on community experience. The Imperial Centre will come alive with the smell of local food, the sound of music, and the laughter of children darting between more than 20 interactive activity booths. From clay creations to bubble blowing, face painting, and bee-themed crafts to take home, the event has been carefully curated to give families space to explore, learn, and play together. Add in inflatables, a scavenger hunt, and indoor and outdoor areas for relaxing or grabbing a bite, and you’ve got a laid-back day that invites everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—to slow down and connect.

The festival also proudly showcases the region’s deep roots in local agriculture and craftsmanship. Attendees can browse booths run by nearby farmers, crafters, and small businesses offering everything from homemade honey-based treats to beekeeping equipment, handmade soaps, and artisan goods. And yes—there’s honey tasting, too. Whether you like it floral, citrusy, or with a spicy kick, regional honey producers will be on-site to help you sample and savor the sweet results of their bees’ hard work. Pair it with a snack from one of the many food vendors, or take a stroll downtown to check out the area’s permanent restaurants and shops.

The Honeybee Festival is completely free to attend, thanks to the support of generous sponsors and the City of Rocky Mount. It’s the kind of event that reminds us what summer in Eastern North Carolina is all about—community, curiosity, and a little bit of sweetness shared under one roof. Keep in mind, there may be some activities that have a small fee.

So grab your sunhat, your camera, and your sense of wonder. Make your way to the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences on Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Rocky Mount’s Honeybee Festival is waiting—and it’s one event you’ll be glad you made time for.