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When it comes to the secret life of bees, there’s really no mystery for Charlie Wenk.
A beekeeper for 20 years, the Winfield resident has the intricacies of the yellow-and-black insects down pat.
This weekend, Wenk and fellow beekeeper Clyde Eggett of West Chicago will share some of their knowledge during Festival of the Vine, Geneva’s autumn harvest celebration.
“I had done beekeeping for a number of years, just as a hobby,” Wenk said. “Then Clyde and I got an opportunity to sell honey.
“We were both retired and just sitting around watching television with nothing else to do, so we thought we’d get into it.”
During the festival, kids of all ages will be able to examine the workings of a hive and sample fresh honey.
| 27th annual Festival of the Vine When 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Where Downtown Geneva, North Fourth Street and Route 38 Cost Free general admission Host Geneva Chamber of Commerce Info www.genevachamber.com |
Wenk and Eggett harvest honey from local hives, including ones in Wheaton, Batavia, West Chicago and Winfield.
When people think of fall harvests, they usually think of fruits and vegetables, Wenk said.
“But we harvest honey in the fall,” he said.
Geneva’s annual Festival of the Vine began more than 20 years ago as a celebration to highlight vine-grown delights. It now revolves around food and wine.
The three-day event attracts 75,000 people to town each year.
Throughout the weekend, wine tastings and seminars will be hosted by Geneva shops of imported and domestic table, dessert and novelty wines.
Once again, the Flavor Fare dining tent at State and North Fourth streets will dominate the festivities. The tent area is like a Taste of Geneva with local restaurants offering small portions of items from their menus. Wines from around the world also are served while entertainment is featured on the stage.
An old-fashioned grape-stomping will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, with souvenir shirts for individuals who choose to enter the vat.
The fest also will include complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, the Festival of the Vine Fine Arts and Craft Show, flower markets and the Geneva Academic Foundation-sponsored Mighty Viking Boat Race and Family Fun Fest.
This year’s festival also debuts the Fall Harvest Market, spearheaded by Jean Gaines, president of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. The market will feature a gourds display; breads, cookies and cinnamon rolls, courtesy of The Great Pumpkin Patch; a John Deere tractor display from Buck Bros. Inc.; and the honeybee display by Wenk and Eggett.
When it comes to the secret life of bees, there’s really no mystery for Charlie Wenk.
A beekeeper for 20 years, the Winfield resident has the intricacies of the yellow-and-black insects down pat.
This weekend, Wenk and fellow beekeeper Clyde Eggett of West Chicago will share some of their knowledge during Festival of the Vine, Geneva’s autumn harvest celebration.
“I had done beekeeping for a number of years, just as a hobby,” Wenk said. “Then Clyde and I got an opportunity to sell honey.
“We were both retired and just sitting around watching television with nothing else to do, so we thought we’d get into it.”
During the festival, kids of all ages will be able to examine the workings of a hive and sample fresh honey.
| 27th annual Festival of the Vine When 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Where Downtown Geneva, North Fourth Street and Route 38 Cost Free general admission Host Geneva Chamber of Commerce Info www.genevachamber.com |
Wenk and Eggett harvest honey from local hives, including ones in Wheaton, Batavia, West Chicago and Winfield.
When people think of fall harvests, they usually think of fruits and vegetables, Wenk said.
“But we harvest honey in the fall,” he said.
Geneva’s annual Festival of the Vine began more than 20 years ago as a celebration to highlight vine-grown delights. It now revolves around food and wine.
The three-day event attracts 75,000 people to town each year.
Throughout the weekend, wine tastings and seminars will be hosted by Geneva shops of imported and domestic table, dessert and novelty wines.
Once again, the Flavor Fare dining tent at State and North Fourth streets will dominate the festivities. The tent area is like a Taste of Geneva with local restaurants offering small portions of items from their menus. Wines from around the world also are served while entertainment is featured on the stage.
An old-fashioned grape-stomping will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, with souvenir shirts for individuals who choose to enter the vat.
The fest also will include complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, the Festival of the Vine Fine Arts and Craft Show, flower markets and the Geneva Academic Foundation-sponsored Mighty Viking Boat Race and Family Fun Fest.
This year’s festival also debuts the Fall Harvest Market, spearheaded by Jean Gaines, president of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. The market will feature a gourds display; breads, cookies and cinnamon rolls, courtesy of The Great Pumpkin Patch; a John Deere tractor display from Buck Bros. Inc.; and the honeybee display by Wenk and Eggett.
“We are always trying to enhance each festival with fresh ideas,” said Sandy Portincaso, chamber publicity director.
Gourd artists will display creations off of the vine and two master gardeners will be on hand to share expertise about fall harvest gardening.
Wenk is looking forward to sharing his beekeeping trade with the public.
“A lot of people want to know how you get the honey out of the comb, and what you do with it when you get it out,” he said. “Beekeeping is fun.
“It’s also important for the environment that we have honeybees out there pollinating things.”
During the festival, parking will be available throughout the downtown, courtesy of Geneva merchants.
Check www.genevachamber.com for parking locations.
