Wake County Beekeepers Association upcoming events

PUBLIC: Pollinator Field Day at Farmers Market (August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The public is invited to the NC Farmers Market at 900am to participate in Pollinator Watch Field Day to help count the presence of pollinators at the wildflower plots in the Farmers Market.

Come learn about pollinators and the native habitat they rely on for survival. This is an interactive day where you will catch insects with nets (if you choose!), talk with experts, and learn about conservation and community science projects.

They will have many educational booths hosted by the NC Pollinator Conservation Alliance, NCSU Bee Campus, NCSU Applied Ecology Department, Wake County Beekeepers Association, the NC Wildlife Federation, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the NC Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas, Duke Gardens, and more!

They will have light refreshments as well as native plants to send home with participants. This is a FREE event, and all are welcome to attend. You won't want to miss it!.

September Club Meeting (September 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

7pm Workshop: TBD

7:30pm Topic: Do Insulated Hives Make a Difference?

Speaker: Tito Sierra

Tito is the founder of RALEIGH BEE (https://raleighbee.com), a small NCSBA Certified Honey Producer located 2 miles east of the State Capitol. Tito is a Certified Beekeeper in North Carolina, and is the Vice President of the Wake County Beekeeper Association.

BugFest 2026 (September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Volunteer with the WCBA at BugFest 2026! This event takes place annually at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and is the museum's biggest event of the year. We will have a table with beekeeping information and other activities. We need volunteers to staff the club booth, to bring "products of the hive" such as candles, cosmetics, or anything you can make with wax, honey, or propolis, and to have fun with each other!

The event coordinators, Chris Hagwood and Matt Hurley will follow up with additional details:

Use this link to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084EADA62EA46-64987404-bugfest

Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!! (September 20, 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Bring your veil, hive tool and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!!

WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real hives with real bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts.

The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, suit and hive tool. The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

October Club Meeting (October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

6:30 PM: Annual Fall Plant Exchange & Club Swap Shop

Plant Exchange
Fall is the best time to divide most perennials. With the approaching cold weather, plants focus on root development and wait until spring to focus on blooms. Plants suffer less stress with being planted in the fall, and although you should water regularly (at least once a week) after transplanting, and continue until frost, after that, baring any droughts, most plants can handle a lot less attention going into the spring.

Want to participate? Here is how it works: You bring bee-friendly plants you want to exchange, and receive a ticket for each plant you bring, that can be exchanged for plants that others bring. You are welcome to bring other plants that you think people might want, but you will only receive a ticket for bee-friendly plants.

Each plant should be accompanied by a tag indicating what it is, and each group of plants that are the same should have a description on an index card, suitable for taking a picture

Equipment Sale (tools, woodenware honeybee products):

If you plan to sell - be at the parking Lot by 6:15, to set up. The parking lot will be marked for the sale and look for volunteers to answer any questions. Also any items not sold during parking lot sale must be taken back by the owner and is not eligible for raffle. However, items can be donated for club use.

You can also post your items on the Wake County Facebook page.

If you plan to buy - the event starts at 6:30. Please bring cash

7pm Workshop: TBD

7:30pm Topic: Flow Hives

Speaker: Willy Tracy

November Club Meeting (November 10, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

7:00 - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 7PM TO ALLOW TIME TO CHECK IN

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION RAFFLE kicks off after everyone checks in. Each member with participation and volunteer credits will earn raffle tickets towards some awesome prizes! There will be many fantastic items you can enter to win. You will be able to choose which prizes to enter your tickets.

*No raffle tickets are for sale, only those earned by members

December Club Meeting (December 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

6:30-8:30PM: WCBA 2025 Potluck Holiday Gathering (Note Time Change!)

Come join us for fun and food at our 2026 Annual Holiday Gathering at the Wake Commons building. This is a perfect time to visit and catch up with fellow club members. BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR will also be awarded.

The club will provide ham and turkey, as well as beverages and paper goods. Members need to sign up to bring EITHER a side-dish, dessert or bread through signup genius. Look for that!

We look forward to having you come and celebrate this past year and share your bee stories with your fellow beekeepers. It's a great time to share your culture and traditions.