Pictured: Paven Walker in 2019 Honeybee Tee

The Deets

This un-bee-lievable three-day fun-filled, family event in Paris, Illinois, is an annual fall must-see! An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, queen pageant, 5K race, car show, live music, and a parade provide a day of entertainment and fun! Get your small town fix while shopping local craft booths, savoring homemade ice cream, listening to live music, and (of course) stocking up on your honey essentials for the next year!

But Why Honeybees?

Wondering what all of the buzz is about when it comes to this fall festival? You see, it all started in the early 1900s with a small-town (Indiana) boy... Carl Killion.

When Carl was seven years old, he took a serious interest in honey bees - dreaming (as all young boys do) of beekeeping as his life's work. In the summer, he practically lived in the bee yard, and in winter, he spent hours and hours reading about bees and attending beekeepers' meetings. To no one's surprise - Carl became an expert in the field.

In October 1930, his family moved across the state line to an idyllic place for his apiaries, Paris, Illinois (Great choice, Carl!) He taught at Purdue and the University of Illinois, became a founding member of the state's beekeeping society, and later the state's apiary inspector and bee expert.

When Carl's son Eugene (Gene Killion) graduated high school in 1941, the Killion's increased their apiary to 1,000 hives, all of which were dedicated to comb honey production.

The whole story

Killion Honey was a long-time Paris business - but most people don't know the whole story. Gene and his father, Carl Killion, worked hard to raise awareness around the importance of beekeeping and its effects on agriculture. This father-son duo had nationwide recognition for their honey expertise. (Side note: They were also the first company to package honey in the now-familiar bear-shaped bottles! #trendsetters)

But one of the most significant projects, and the reason for our annual festival, was getting the United States Post Office to issue a commemorative embossed envelope featuring the honey bee.

Carl had worked for 25 years to get USPS to issue a honey bee stamp, and just two days before he passed away, he finally made his dream come true! In 1980 the U.S. Postal Service issued an embossed envelope honoring the honey bee at the Paris Illinois Post Office. And in 1981, inspired by this issuance, the Honeybee Festival was born.

(The sweetest story if we’ve ever heard one)

buy yo’ self some liquid gold

Where do you usually buy your honey? If your answer is the grocery store, then you're missing out! Local honey is so much more unique and flavorful. When you buy straight from a local beekeeper, you're getting a bear of sweet, golden deliciousness.

Pictured: Lot 50 Brewing Honeybee Brown Ale

Local beekeepers, Jacob and Betsy (Ogle) Higginbotham of Circle H Honey, are your go-to source for just that. Students of the local legend Gene Killion, their honey business represents a time-honored tradition here in Edgar County.

You can shop their booth on the Square during the festival (or year-round at Sweet Vintage) and try their famous honey bears, chunk honey, old-fashioned comb honey, creamed honey, and more!

Get buzzed

But that's not all! Circle H Honey has teamed up with other local favorites to bring you even more honey must-haves! Try Lot 50 Brewing’s seasonal Honeybee Brown Ale or We Li Kit Farmstand’s salted honey ice cream!

Savor these bad boys while listening to live music all weekend long!

Pictured: Hilary Walker in 2017 Honeybee Tee

Yas Queen! 🐝

But what Honeybee Festival would be complete without some honeybee swag. Shop your favorite vintage store (us duh!) to get your new Honey Bee Tee! And show your support to the local beekeeping community, and its rich tradition, that we have here in Paris, Illinois.

To learn more about the Honeybee Festival and find a current list of events for this year, check out the Honeybee Festival Facebook Page.

Author: Emily Agan

Paris, Illinois Honeybee Festival