Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Media Release, 1 August 2023
The township of Forest Hill will be buzzing with excitement this September, with swarms of people expected to attend the inaugural Bee Happy Day celebrations.
Held as part of the annual Laidley Spring Festival, Bee Happy Day is a free family-friendly event that showcases the magic of bees and the important role they play in our ecosystem.
The event will be held at the Forest Hill School of Arts Hall on Sunday, September 10 from 8.30am-12pm, with the hall set to be transformed into a magical spring wonderland for families to explore.
Boasting a jam-packed program, families can expect lots of live entertainment, art and craft workshops, a beekeeper talk, face painting, balloon twisting, artisan markets and food trucks.
One of the highlights of the morning will be a special theatrical performance called A Bee Story, featuring artists from Brisbane’s Cluster Arts.
Cluster Arts Director Debbie Wilks said the show is full of fun and surprises for the audience to enjoy.
“This uniquely Australian story is a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music with important educational messages involving the environment, sustainability and community spirit,” Ms Wilks said.
“Audiences will be enthralled by the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee who must work together and use their pollen-collecting skills, honey-making abilities and super-bee strength to rebuild their hive after being destroyed by a bushfire.”
Another special guest who will be appearing at the event is beekeeper Russell Zabel from Zabel Beekeeping Australia.
Based in Hatton Vale, Russell will talk to the kids about the importance of bees for food production and what is it like to work as a beekeeper.
“The bees are responsible for the pollination of food plants, and they are also producing honey from the Lockyer Valley,” Russell said.
“It’s always interesting to talk about bees, and on the day, we will have an observation hive full of live bees where you can try and spot the Queen.”
Throughout the course of the morning kids will also be able to enjoy a sensory play workshop with story time and dance performances by Move and Groove Dance School, make their own bee themed wearable headband, paint their own terracotta pots and fill it with their choice of either a flower or herb seeds, have their faces painted with lots of bright colours, request their very own twisted balloon art, browse the many market stalls, plus much more.
A number of food trucks will also be in attendance selling breakfast and morning tea options including a brekky BBQ, mini pancakes, coffee, fresh juices, carnival inspired treats, donuts and many more goodies!
After the event, families are invited to explore the township’s many eclectic retail shops, cafes and pubs.
With so much to see and do as part of the Laidley Spring Festival, Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan is encouraging families to make the most of the Festival by booking a long weekend.
“Bee Happy Day is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to extend their stay to discover the beauty of the Lockyer Valley,” Mayor Milligan said.
“Our region is uniquely positioned, nestled in some of the most pristine landscape in South East Queensland, and as a local girl I remain exceptionally proud and I ask people ‘why would you live anywhere else?’
For more information about the 2023 Laidley Spring Festival visit https://www.laidleyspringfestival.com/
You can also stay up to date by liking and following Laidley Spring Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
