As honeybees flit from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their little hairy legs. When the bees return to the hive, they pass through a screen and, much in the way swiping your boots on a doormat removes the mud, the granules are knocked off into a collection tray. These granules, explains beekeeper Wenche Widmark, may be added to smoothies or yogurt to vaccinate allergy sufferers against the sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes brought on by hay fever.
Widmark and her husband Todd operate Honeybrook Farms in Pine Bush, New York. They were one of several dozen vendors at Sweet Bee’s Honey Festival held Sunday, July 21 at the Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George. The Widmarks were not the only vendors challenging big pharma with honey-based remedies. Dior Davis of Truth Honey recommends a shot of Truth Honey Bourbon to relieve cold symptoms and peppermint or turmeric honey for allergies.
Festival producer Marvin Baum says that when most people think of honey, they think of the generic grocery store variety, unaware that apiaries produce hundreds of different honey flavors and honey products. Baum says he brought the honey festival to Lake George to “…give people the opportunity to experience new things and get more educated about the uses of honey.”
In addition to jars of honey for sweetening food and adding flavor to recipes, festival vendors offered honey liquors, jars of pollen granules, honey lollipops, honey sunscreen, lip balm and body scrubs. Several artisan food producers filled out the vendor list, and guests were invited to sample their specialty cheeses, dark chocolates, craft wines, ciders and rich baked goods.
One vendor had a table stacked high with Caribbean rum cakes. Another, To the Queen’s Taste of Newton, Massachusetts, offered free samples of their award-winning Whoopie Goldberg Classic Whoopie Pie. The Peanut Principle of Albany showcased their abundance of gourmet nut butters.
The Festival was originally planned for the Fort William Henry Hotel lawn, but organizers moved the event into the Fort’s Carriage House to escape the oppressive heat. Throughout the day, the earthy blues of The Roues Brothers filled the 19th Century (now air-conditioned) building that once served as a livery stable for Lake George and housed the private coaches of the elegant hotel’s well-to-do guests. The festival also offered craft activities for children, and, for those willing to dance in the heat outside the Carriage House doors, country line dancing. Admission to the festival included free entrance to the Fort William Henry Museum.
Baum believes that, considering the heatwave that kept many from venturing out this weekend, the turnout for the debut Honey Festival was good. Several vendors said they would return to Lake George if Baum made this an annual event.
Photos: Sweet Bee’s Lake George Honey Festival
Adi’s Bees of Monroe, New York brought this look into a bee hive. 
Dior Davis of Truth Honey in Atlanta displays the wide variety of flavored honeys produced on their micro farm. 
KAS Spirits of Mahopac, New York serves up shots of krupnikas, an Old World beverage distilled with honey and a blend of 10 spices. 
Wenche and Todd Widmark of Honeybrook Farms, Pine Bush, New York, pose before their selection of honeys and honey spreads. 
Villakuyaya works with small farmers in Ecuador to produce organic dark chocolates. 
…to the Queen’s Taste bakery of Newton, Massachusetts offered samples of their award-winning whoopie pies. 
Ferreira-Carpenter Winery 
A visitor from the Fort regales attendees with his fife. 
Scrub It New Hampshire produces scrubs and lotions made from natural ingrediants. 
Entertainment was provided by the Roues Brothers. 
Healthy Gourmet Kitchen brought organic dip mixes, soup and Instapot starters. 
Adi’s Bees of Monroe, New York sells honey and honey products.