The Borks and Bees at Port Farms

Jessica Hunter

SATURDAY, AUG. 20 - 21

It's tough to say which makes our days brighter — pollinators or pups. This weekend, Port Farms in Waterford will celebrate both with back-to-back fundraising events set against the picturesque backdrop of its ongoing Flower Festival. 

Whereas we humans might be content for most insects to buzz off, the honey bee should not be on that list. One of nature's most important pollinators, their numbers have been in sharp decline in recent decades due to a range of environmental factors, many of them relating to agricultural practices and climate change. It's no doubt a sticky situation, and one we must clean up given the immense value of products attributable not only to bees ($700 million), but also all pollinators ($18 billion). 

National Honey Bee Day is observed the third Saturday of each August to draw attention to this very hive priority concern. Port Farms will welcome the Northwest Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association from noon to 5 p.m. for live demonstrations and equipment fittings, in hopes of inspiring more amateur apiarists. During that same time frame, attendees will be able to sample the mead — a fermented honey beverage that dates back to practically the beginning of human civilization — from Ironstone Meadery. Samples will be sold at a cost of three per a dollar, with the opportunity to buy full cups to drink on the farm or bottles to take home. 

On Sunday, the focus will transition from bees to McKean-based animal shelter Because You Care (BYC). The Dog Days of Summer event will feature:

• 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Free pet portraits with the cost of admission
• Noon to 3 p.m. — Meet-and-greet with BYC dogs available for adoption
• 3 p.m. (registration at 2 p.m. ) — Doggie costume contest ($100 grand prize, 2 admission tickets to Port Farms runner-up)
• An all-day scavenger hunt (three PetsMart gift card prizes)
• Cowpie bingo with $250 and $100 prizes, needn't be present to win (on-site spot selection from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

All proceeds from bingo, the $5 dog farm entrance fee, and Sunday's hot dog sales will be donated to BYC to support the needs of the cats and dogs at its adoption center. The Second Annual Flower Festival will continue through Sunday, Sept. 11, with five acres of brilliantly colored blooms to peruse (and pick), family-friendly farm activities (including wagon rides) all day, and even a Beer Garden should your favorite flower be that of the Humulus lupulus (i.e. hops). 

Please beehave yourselves. 

Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. // Port Farms, 2055 Stone Quarry Rd, Waterford, PA // For admission prices and packages, visit portfarms.com/flower-festival