Business was brisk for Burnside Bees owner Stephanie Collins, of Upper Stewiacke, at the Honey Harvest Festival Sept. 27 in Avondale. While yields were down due to the drought, there was still a strong appetite for honey. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentAvondale’s Honey Harvest Festival was humming with activity even before the event officially got underway Sept. 27.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentSince 2016, the last Saturday of September has drawn hundreds of people to the picturesque West Hants community. About 27 vendors took part in this year’s festival, which was held at the Avon Spirit Shipyard.Article contentArticle content“I would say this is one of our favourite markets. It’s beautiful; you have the view of the ocean; there’s all these friendly people that have come here,” Burnside Bees owner Stephanie Collins said while selling homemade candles to a customer.Article contentArticle content Established in 2016, the Honey Harvest Festival at the Avon Spirit Shipyard in Avondale always draws a crowd. This year, there were more than 25 vendors. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentCollins has been bringing her honey and beeswax candles from Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County, to Avondale for the Honey Harvest Festival annually for three years.Article content“It’s wonderful day… It’s a beautiful drive up here, too, with all the leaves changing colour. It’s one of my highlights of September,” she said.Article contentNick and Stephanie Collins started keeping bees during the pandemic. What started as a hobby in 2021 quickly became a passion, seeing them expand from a few hives to having a 150-hive apiary.Article contentDue to this year’s drought conditions, beekeepers have noticed a decline in the amount of sweet nectar collected, she said.Article contentHer products can be purchased at the Cochrane Family Farm in Upper Stewiacke, Brookfield Bakery, and Harvest Collective Market and Mendery in Truro.Article contentArticle content Hasini Rameetha Saturno, of Saturno Maple Farms, chats with customers as the Honey Harvest Festival got underway in Avondale Sept. 27. She not only had maple syrup for sale, but a variety of homemade preserves, honey-roasted peanuts, suckers, as well as other snacks. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentHasini Rameetha Saturno, of Saturno Maple Farms, moved to West Hants from Ontario three years ago. She began tapping maple trees two years ago, using a reverse osmosis technique. She began selling to the public this summer.Article contentArticle content“Because maple syrup is happening only in the springtime, and we have a very small sugar bush, which is just two acres, like 75 trees, so once that’s done, I do up preserves like any other homestead will do,” Rameetha Saturno said.Article content“So, I have sweet pepper, hot pepper, zucchini pineapple jam, rose hip and honey spread, anything that’s seasonal,” she said. “We make small batch preserves.”Article contentShe had multiple samples on site for visitors to try. Living “two minutes up the street” from the festival, she said she wanted to get involved to show her support for the Avon River Heritage Society and how much they do in Avondale.Article contentNext year’s festival will be held Sept. 26, 2026.Article content Duncan Pike, co-owner of Sable Shortbread in Windsor, had tasty treats for sale at Avondale’s annual Honey Harvest Festival, including a honey bourbon variety. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content Twisted Whisk’s owner Danielle Lehn, right, and Shashi Pal, sold baked goods, including sourdough bread, at the Honey Harvest Festival in Avondale Sept. 27. Lehn usually sells her Upper Dyke products at the Kingston Farmers’ Market and at various Valley-area events. She’s been in business for three years. It was her first time selling at the Avon Spirit Shipyard property. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content
Customers abuzz over Avondales Honey Harvest Festival
