SHELBY — Careen Fleck wanted to create a new event with a unique identity.
Fleck, owner of The Little Shops of Shelby, is the president of the Shelby Downtown Business Team. During the team’s monthly meeting this past October, she asked members to think of things special to Shelby.
She said Connie Roub reminded the team that Shelby is a Bee City — and has been recognized as such since 2021.
“I was like, ‘That’s it. We should have a bee festival,'” Fleck said.
Planning for the first-ever Shel-Bee Festival, set for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Black Fork Commons Plaza, picked up after Christmas.
Fleck said Aaron Billheimer, Richland County’s deputy apiarist and owner of The Fan Cave Shop in Shelby, began attending meetings and has been a great partner to help incorporate several members of the local bee community.
The inaugural festival will last one day in downtown Shelby. Depending on how it performs, Fleck said the downtown team may consider extending it to a two-day event next year.
More than 40 vendors to attend
Fleck said there are currently 44 vendors set to attend Saturday’s festival, which will either be offering bee-related products or at least decorated with bee-related items.
A few vendors will also be selling pollinator plants.
Three bands are set to provide live music throughout the day, including Juke Jammers, Southern Rail and Barkdull & Butler. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair to sit in while enjoying the music.
Eight food trucks will also be parked around the Black Fork Commons Plaza. Three large bounce houses will be offered for children, along with additional free kids activities.
A scavenger hunt will be offered for youngsters, with variations available for toddlers and older children. Once completed, participants will receive a “Bee-ology”certificate signed by former county bee inspector David Duncan, among other prizes.
A live hive will be available for observation, as well as honey tasting. Cash prizes will be offered to winners of the honey judging and baking competitions.
Fleck said working hard for the downtown business team is beneficial not only to her vendors, but also each local business in the city.
“It’s my goal to introduce a new event every year,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll have an event every month.”
