The Sacramento County Fair

annette · May 28, 2007, 01:46:07 PM

Well I volunteered for the observation hive at the Sacramento County Fair yesterday. It was quite an experience which I would like to share.

I was in charge of answering questions for a 2 frame hive. Bottom frame was all brood, top frame all honey.

I was amazed at how receptive all, and I mean all, of the children were. They just loved staring at the bees for the longest time and were so excited when they found the marked queen bee. Not one of them were afraid.

The adults, about 90% of the time, were concerned about the disappearing bees and asked me if it was true and what the trouble was.

Several people expressed interest in beekeeping and I believe I inspired 2-3 people to either start beekeeping or at least seriously think about it. One women signed up for classes right on the spot.

I could be wrong, but I think most people would imagine a beekeeper to look like a farmer. This happens to be true out here with most of the bee classes I took. I thought I had dropped onto the set of the "Real McCoys" with most of the participants in the class actually looking like Grandpappy Amos.

I wore my sparkly, beaded blouse with all my beautiful jewelry to the Fair yesterday. I probably do not look like a beekeeper in the traditional way. I think people might have been intrigued by this.

Meaning anyone could be a beekeeper. You all know I am just having fun right now!!!

Take care and have a wonderful day

Annette

Kathyp · May 28, 2007, 02:17:03 PM

a lot of the starting info i got, i got from our fair. it is a wonderful place to showcase a hobby. it is unfortunate that so many of the fairs have become more amusement parks, and less county fair.

Understudy · May 28, 2007, 02:32:58 PM

I have done the south florida fair. That is also where I meet the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association.

Observation hives and fairs are great places to do sopme nice public relations work on honeybees. Sounds like you had a good time. Which was slightly different than how I ended up feeling after mine.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

annette · May 28, 2007, 03:07:06 PM

Quote from: Understudy on May 28, 2007, 02:32:58 PM
I have done the south florida fair. That is also where I meet the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association.

Observation hives and fairs are great places to do sopme nice public relations work on honeybees. Sounds like you had a good time. Which was slightly different than how I ended up feeling after mine.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

What happened with your experience? Just curious because I am going to sign up to do the Sacramento State Fair and the Auburn County Fair in September. This went well for me, but you never know with dealing with the public.

Annette

annette · May 28, 2007, 03:10:01 PM

Quote from: kathyp on May 28, 2007, 02:17:03 PM
a lot of the starting info i got, i got from our fair. it is a wonderful place to showcase a hobby. it is unfortunate that so many of the fairs have become more amusement parks, and less county fair.

Kathyp

Yes you are right about that. After my stint was over, I had to get out of there. I could not believe how crude and noisy the place was outside of the building where I was working.

Understudy · May 28, 2007, 03:33:05 PM

Quote from: annette on May 28, 2007, 03:07:06 PM
Quote from: Understudy on May 28, 2007, 02:32:58 PM
I have done the south florida fair. That is also where I meet the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association.

Observation hives and fairs are great places to do sopme nice public relations work on honeybees. Sounds like you had a good time. Which was slightly different than how I ended up feeling after mine.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

What happened with your experience? Just curious because I am going to sign up to do the Sacramento State Fair and the Auburn County Fair in September. This went well for me, but you never know with dealing with the public.

Annette

My problem is I am not a people person. I do not tolerate idiots well. And when it comes to the publically edumatcated masses. Most of them if they had to actually think would hurt themselves.
Most common question of me at the fair with my observation hive:
Are those Africanized(;killer) bees?
Most common statement:
I think I am allergic to bees.

Thus frustration builds up and I see justification in starting electroshock therapy on most of the general public at an early age. Yes I too had a few people with genuine interest in bees. But they were way few and far between. Then I have stupid elected officials that basically say we can't have bees in residential areas, so anyone with one has to be renegade and if they live in an HOA you can forget it. Then they complain about the spread of AHB.

I remember on old definition for stress. When the mind prevents the body from chocking the living s*** out of someone who desperately deserves it.

The problem with the fair isn't the fair it is a great chance to show people very interesting things. However people don't want interesting they want to be spun so fast they throw up. And I don't mind that I even like the rides myself. But not to the point where I would refuse any enlightenment. I may never milk a cow in my life but I went and saw just because I wanted to gain some insight. They have a very nice yesteryear village. I may never live that way but it was very interesting to see how it was done. I wanted to set up a few skreps at the fair however I don't think I would be able to get it past the health inspectors or the managers who are to afraid of the lawyers.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Brian D. Bray · May 28, 2007, 10:32:49 PM

I'm going to be assisting our local beekeepers assoc at the Skagit County Fair this summer. Having been a police officer I know how stupid some people can come across at times. Some of the most educated can prove to be real idiots. But, I like people so the experience should be interesting. If I get bored I might even start a war with the Master Gardeners by expounding on the fact that anyone who relies on manufactured chemicals instead of natural (a la composting etc.) can't really call themselves a master gardener but a chemist.

Understudy · May 28, 2007, 11:02:29 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on May 28, 2007, 10:32:49 PM
I'm going to be assisting our local beekeepers assoc at the Skagit County Fair this summer. Having been a police officer I know how stupid some people can come across at times. Some of the most educated can prove to be real idiots. But, I like people so the experience should be interesting. If I get bored I might even start a war with the Master Gardeners by expounding on the fact that anyone who relies on manufactured chemicals instead of natural (a la composting etc.) can't really call themselves a master gardener but a chemist.

LMAO

Thanks Brian I needed that.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · May 30, 2007, 07:49:15 AM

The most common question I get is "Is the queen born with that red spot on her?"

annette · May 30, 2007, 01:02:26 PM

Yes, I forgot. I did get asked that question several times that day.