Bees & Honey

Simcoe County loves to celebrate beekeeping, bees, honey, other hive products, pollinators and the history of Beekeeping in our community.

There are many unique businesses throughout Simcoe County that offer local product, knowledge and expertise to create memorable and authentic experiences that are related to bees and the sweet stuff that they produce.

When you buy local honey you support local farmers, businesses AND you support the environment too!

South Simcoe: Birthplace of Canadian Honey Production

The famous Simcoe County settler, D.A. Jones is considered the ‘Bee King of Canada’.

In 1880, he was producing 70,000 pounds from 400 colonies and had an apiary foreman and several boys as assistants. Jones sought to improve his bees by importing pure breeding stock from Europe and the Middle East. (Honey-bees were not native to North America, and he was not content to capture wild bees, as had been the custom.)

In 1874 the village's name was changed to Beeton to honour the influence of D.A. Jones on the village's development. Jones was the first commercial honey producer in Canada.

His legacy continues today in the thriving apiculture industry of South Simcoe. The municipalities of Adjala-Tosorontio, New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Essa and Innisfil welcome you to explore the many businesses who celebrate the importance of Bees & Honey from yesterday and today.

The Beeton Honey and Garden Festival

Main St. in Beeton

The Beeton Honey and Garden Festival has celebrated all things bees and honey for the last forty years. This one day festival began to commemorate the history of the village and the important work of D.A. Jones as the Bee King of Canada. The festival features over 190 unique venders, scrumptious food selections, all day entertainment and a classic car and truck show.

Unfortunately, the festival will not be taking place in 2022. We'll look forward to seeing you in 2023!

For more information, go to www.thehoneyfestival.com