Postponed Due To Ian: Popular 'Bee Day' In Essex County Public Garden

MILLBURN, NJ — Do bees be? Sure they do. But you'll have to wait a bit to learn more about them.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, Greenwood Gardens, the 28-acre public garden in Millburn, will host a popular event with educational bee activities for the whole family.

The event, originally scheduled for Oct. 1, has been postponed due to the approaching Hurricane Ian.

What's It All About

Two identical sessions are offered, with educational activities, and art contest, and more. Registration is required.

The garden is also full of architecture, fauna, and flora to delight the young and old.

The organizers of Bee Day say it will be a "day of delightful discoveries highlighting the important role of our favorite pollinators — bees! A variety of bee-themed activities for the whole family will take place on the Main Lawn of the historic garden in two identical sessions."

Registrants can attend either the morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or the afternoon session from 2-5 p.m.

“Bee Day is one of Greenwood’s most highly anticipated events of the year by children, parents, and grandparents alike,” said Abby O’Neill, executive director. “To accommodate as many families as possible, we have created two identical sessions to ensure everyone who wants to participate can. Space is limited, so pre-registration is a must!”

Participants will learn about the magic of the beehive during Dancin’ with the Honeybees, an interactive storytelling presentation by “The Bee Man,” Cliff Sunflower.

Using honeybees as his focus, Cliff reaches people of all ages with concepts, facts, and ideas about the ecology of the natural world. Dancin’ with the Honeybees employs storytelling, poetry, prose, puppetry, music, dance, and participatory theatre.

Greenwood’s resident beekeeper, Joe Lelinho, owner of Hilltop Honey, will teach about the lifecycle and role of the honeybee during his presentation, What’s Buzzing Honeybee?

A bee expert with over 25 years of experience in beekeeping, Lelinho "is passionate about helping people understand bees and the threats they face," said Greenwood.

Budding artists can showcase their work by entering the Children’s Art Contest.

Winners will receive a free art class from One River School in Millburn, NJ, and have their artwork featured on a notecard that will be sold in the Greenwood Gardens gift shop.

Children will love following Buzzy the Bee through the garden as she looks for her favorite flower and will also want to keep an eye out for the BEEautiful Beekeeper that chases her! Other Bee Day activities include a scavenger hunt, spelling bee, arts and crafts, face-painting, games, gardening tips, story time, honey tasting, food, and more!

The first 50 guests with a Family Membership level or higher will receive a jar of local honey (one per family). Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children (aged 3-12) and seniors. Activity tickets can be purchased on site for $1 apiece, with most activities ranging between one and three tickets. Tickets for both the morning and afternoon sessions of Bee Day can be purchased online at greenwoodgardens.org/bee-day-2022. One session per family.

Bee Day is sponsored by Studio 1200, One River Millburn, Hilton Short Hills, Rand, Feuer & Klein, LLC, The Maggee Miggins Group at Compass Real Estate, and Overlook Medical Center.

About Greenwood Gardens

Read here about the founder of Greenwood Gardens, Peter Blanchard, III, the author and philanthropist who grew up on the gardens, then donated them to the public.

Greenwood Gardens is a non-profit 28-acre public garden and historic site located at 274 Old Short Hills Road in Short Hills.

Greenwood is a peaceful haven graced by terraced gardens, stately fountains, woodlands, grottoes, Arts and Crafts follies, and winding paths.

To accomplish its mission of connecting people with nature in a historic garden oasis, Greenwood offers the visiting public self-guided tours and programs at the nexus of nature, beauty, and history. Greenwood Gardens is supported by gifts, membership, and volunteers. For further information, visit www.greenwoodgardens.org or call 973-258-4026. Please follow us on Facebook @GreenwoodShortHills and Instagram @greenwoodgardensnj.

For further information and photo requests, contact allie@greenwoodgardens.org.