The Colorado Honeybee Festival will move its free annual celebration of honeybees and pollinators to Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction for its 2027 event. The Festival Committee announced the relocation, with the next festival scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2027. This decision reflects the festival's increasing popularity and the need for a larger venue to host its community-focused activities.
The move follows a record-breaking year for the festival in 2026, when it was held at the Cross Orchards Historic Site. The significant attendance that year underscored the need for more space to comfortably host vendors, activities, and the growing number of attendees. The Festival Committee made the commitment to Las Colonias Park as its new home in June 2026.
Laurie Priddy, president of the Colorado Honeybee Festival, expressed gratitude for the previous location. Priddy stated that Cross Orchards provided a wonderful year, and the festival leadership appreciates the support from the site and its staff. Priddy also noted that the large crowds demonstrated the community's strong interest in the festival, and expressed excitement for the opportunities Las Colonias Park will offer for continued expansion.
Las Colonias Park, managed by the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation system and situated along the Colorado River, brings several key upgrades for the festival. These include dedicated hookups with water and electric service for food trucks, which will eliminate the need for temporary generators. The new location also features expanded parking, designed for easier and safer access for visitors, and permanent restroom facilities. Crucially, the park offers significantly more open space, providing ample room for the various vendors, educational activities, and festival-goers.
The Festival Committee extended its appreciation to Cross Orchards Historic Site for the successful 2026 event. Furthermore, the committee has invited the Museums of Western Colorado, which oversees Cross Orchards, to remain involved with the festival at its new Las Colonias Park location in 2027.
Attendees can look forward to the familiar lineup of events and attractions that have made the festival a cherished community tradition. These include live music performances, a variety of food vendors, informative educational lectures, the lively Bee Costume Contest, and the engaging Spelling Bee. A wide array of vendor booths will also be available for exploration.
Priddy reiterated that the festival's core mission remains steadfast. The event is dedicated to being a free, family-friendly gathering focused on educating the community about the critical importance of honeybees and other pollinators. This educational effort highlights their essential role in the agricultural economy, both within the Grand Valley and beyond. Interested vendors and volunteers can find updates on registration, sponsorship, and additional festival details as they become available.
