Totally Buzzing! Today Is Honey Day on the High Line

Between the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder, the varroa mites, and various pesticides, fungicides, viruses, and other problems plaguing honeybee populations around the world, keeping an apiary strong and healthy these days is no easy task.

But, as we learned on a recent visit to Brooklyn Grange, keeping bees in an urban area is actually facilitated by the comparative lack of local agriculture: There are few farms in the city, which means there are few buzz-killing pesticides, and with plenty of flowering trees, bushes, and sidewalk gardens to keep the nectar flowing, beekeeping in the concrete jungle is surprisingly prosperous.

Today, Friends of the High Line and Brooklyn Grange are teaming up to celebrate New York City’s budding beekeeping community with Honey Day on the High Line. From 2 to 6 p.m. this afternoon, High Line visitors at 14th Street will be privy to a veritable artisanal honey festival, featuring see-through observation hives, kids’ activities, tastings, and conversation.

Local beekeepers, including Brooklyn Grange, Queens County Farm Museum, Queens Apiary, Wilks Apiary, and Stone Barns, will be on hand to make sure your honey jar runneth over. Plus, regular High Line vendors will be serving special sweet treats: L’Arte del Gelato, Melt Bakery, and La Newyorkina will offer special frozen desserts for honeybears of all ages, while Terroir at the Porch will offer Kelso’s High Line Nectar Pils.

Anyone allergic to bees should be advised to steer clear of the High Line near 14th Street this afternoon … Or bring an EpiPen, because this party’s buzz or bust.