ROBERTSDALE — There will be something for everyone on Saturday, Nov. 6 when the Central Baldwin Education Foundation hosts its Annual Honeybee 5K and 1-mile fun run, followed by the Honeybee Festival at Honeybee Park in Robertsdale.
For eight straight years the festival was held as a fundraiser for the Central Baldwin Education Foundation, which ran its Honeybee 5K and 1-mile run/walk for 10 straight years.
The festival was postponed in 2020 after Hurricane Sally caused damage to the park, organizers said.
“We are so excited to be able to host the Honeybee Festival this year,” said CBEF President Katina Hubbard. “We are hoping for perfect weather so everyone can come out and enjoy the festival. It’s a great event to start your Christmas shopping.”
The festival will kick off with the Honeybee 5K beginning at 8 a.m. at Honeybee Park.
Online registration is available at events.com until 4 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5. Registration and early packet pick-up will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center, 22561 E. Chicago St., Robertsdale.
Pre-registration is $25 for adults, age 19 and over, $15 for students.
Race day registration and packet pick up will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the Adult Activity Center at a cost of $30 for adults and $20 for students.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top male and female overall finishers, plus awards for age groups from 0-7 to 70 and older.
The 1-mile fun run will be held immediately following the 5K race with participating ribbons for all participants.
Post-race awards will be held immediately following at Honeybee Park in Robertsdale.
The festival kicks off with entertainment from Strictly Rivers at 9:30 a.m., followed by This Side of 49 at 10:30 a.m. and the John Hart Project from noon to 2 p.m.
The festival will feature more than 80 vendors, including arts & crafts vendors, food trucks and a kid’s area featuring pony rides, bounce houses, face painting and a variety of games.
The Central Baldwin Education Foundation was organized in 2008 to encourage academic excellence in the Central Baldwin area schools by providing funding which is not available through traditional local, state or federal sources.
The foundation provides opportunities for teachers and staff to develop innovative projects through grants; to invest in programs and enrichment activities that have a positive impact on student success; to encourage a continued interest in and support of public education through a network of businesses, individual and community involvement; and to seek and cultivate funding sources for educational excellence.
CBEF serves the South Baldwin Center for Technology, Robertsdale High School, Central Baldwin Middle School and five feeder elementary schools, including Elsanor, Rosinton, Loxley, Silverhill and Robertsdale.
Again this year, the festival will feature two Honeybee queens, along with their courts: Little Miss Honeybee Blakeley Louise Walker and her court: Charlotte Reese Walker, who was also Little Miss Charity; Ally-Harper Tillery and Monroe Dorward Cristini; and Young Miss Honeybee Eleanor Rachael McCoy, who was also Young Miss Charity, and her court: Miss Photogenic Adalyn Lyles, Emma Kate Lynn and Audrey O’Connor. Also representing the Honeybee court are Miss Congeniality Adalyn Foley; Most Creative Number Brooklyn Marshall; and Queen of Queens Brenna Schmierer.
The queens and their courts were crowned during a ceremony held Oct. 8 at the PZK Hall.
This year’s festival will coincide with the city’s 100th anniversary celebration and the Robertsdale Centennial Committee will have a booth set up at the festival, selling commemorative coins, different styles of coffee mugs and hats, said Committee Chairman Stephanie Kroll. The Robertsdale Centennial Queens will also be passing out balloons to children.
The Centennial Queens are Virginia Boseck, Ella Brewton, London Lace Brill, Matalyne Kroll, Morgan Kroll, Addison Kucera, Adalyn Lyles and Emma Kate Lynn.
The Centennial Committee will also be hosting a free chili cookoff with teams providing taster cups to participants.
Awards will be presented for Grand Champion, Runner-up, Best in Show (overall setup and presentation) and People’s Choice.
