Petal Pushers to host PollinatorPalooza with Bewitched Acres Farms on June 1

LACONIA — Petal Pushers Farm Garden Center will be hosting a family-oriented fun day called PollinatorPalooza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Samantha Stevens, owner of Bewitched Acres, a honey bee farm in Meredith, will be setting up stations for adults and children alike to learn about local pollinators and see honey bees in action.

General Manager of Petal Pushers Farm Ron Palsgrove said, “Sam is a customer of ours and in talking we came to learn what she does for a living – raises bees, maintains an active apiary, sells honey and contributes to a local honey bee association. Considering the number of customers who approach us with interest about purchasing pollinator plants in order to contribute to the safety of the honey bee population in New Hampshire, creating a day of mutual education and experiences for families seemed like a win-win. We are very excited to host this first with Samantha at Petal Pushers.”

Bewitched Acres has been operating for three years. Stevens said, “The more things we can share with the general public — letting them know that there are simple, convenient and tangible things that they can do to actually make a difference — the better. I see this opportunity as a way to do just that. Communicating with families, and especially the children, letting them see what an impact even small decisions can have on the pollinators, is so important to our future.”

Set up in the fields at Petal Pushers Farm will be a live observation hive, where visitors can safely see the comings and goings of honey bees and ask any questions. There will also be a display of local pollinators and the plants that are particularly important to their survival. Pollinators native to New Hampshire will be emphasized, with a look at bees, beetles, hummingbirds, wasps, butterflies and birds, along with the plants and flowers they are particularly drawn to.

After learning to recognize pollinators and their favorite plants, children will be invited to take home a scavenger hunt that will help them identify pollinators in their own backyards. There will be an offering of local honey for sale that will benefit the Pemi-Baker Beekeeping Association, as well as candles, and other apiary-themed items for purchase. Petal Pushers’ food truck will be up and operating with refreshments for sale, as well as plants, shrubs and trees.

For more information, 603-524-7253.