The annual Colorado Honeybee Festival will take place April 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road in Grand Junction.

Formerly known as the Palisade International Honeybee Festival, the free event has educated the public on the importance of honeybees for the past 17 years. The governing board voted unanimously in 2025 to move, because the festival outgrew its original downtown Palisade venue. Additionally, the festival’s mission to educate the public about honeybees and other pollinators aligns perfectly with Cross Orchards’ agricultural heritage and educational programming.

“Our heart and base are still in Palisade,” event President Laurie Priddy said. “In fact, our 501(c)3 tax exempt status is unchanged. We will simply be doing business as the Colorado Honeybee Festival.”

By expanding its scope across Colorado, the festival can involve other organizations in spreading the educational message. While other honeybee festivals exist, they are mostly geared to beekeepers, beekeeping and the business side of operations, according to a news release from Colorado Honeybee Festival organizers.

“We will continue to focus on what individuals can do to help protect bees and other pollinators, emphasizing how vital they are to our agricultural economy, both locally and internationally,” Festival Coordinator Michelle Gossage said.

The festival will run round-trip shuttles from Grande River Vineyards in Palisade and Central High School in Grand Junction to Cross Orchards Historic Site for the convenience of those attending. Onsite parking will also be available at Cross Orchards.

The event will provide live music, food vendors, educational speakers, a bee-costume contest, a spelling bee, and a large variety of vendor booths.

“Success necessarily breeds change,” Gossage said, “so we urge all our patrons to come with us to Cross Orchards Historic Site. Our mission has not changed, and we promise the same wholesome, family-oriented, free festival that visitors have known and loved so well.”