Bees were the center of attention at Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Bees were the center of attention at Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS – It was an almost-perfect day for Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center. Children, and adults, enjoyed food, honey lemonade, games, beeswax candle-making and more.

The only thing missing was the live bee beard. For that – when a beekeeper allows thousands of bees to swarm and create a living “beard” on his or her face – absolutely perfect conditions are needed. This year, it was too windy and cloudy.

I’m told it’s been about a 50-50 chance of having those optimal conditions during the annual festival. Even without the bee beard, there was plenty to do. See other news from the Nature Center in the following links and images from the festival, below:

New building campaign

Amphitheatre to be named after Patterson family

New director hired

Jan Aiels, Education Director at the Indian Creek Nature Center, gets in the spirit of Honey Fest with a bee-utiful face-painting. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Jan Aiels, Education Director at the Indian Creek Nature Center, gets in the spirit of Honey Fest with a face-painting. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

 

Education is a prime part of Honey Fest, with boards that explain the importance of bees. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Education is a prime part of Honey Fest, with boards that explain the importance of bees. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Fair-goers had a fairly nice day to enjoy Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Fair-goers had a fairly nice day to enjoy Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Volunteer Mike Duss bakes cornbread in Dutch ovens during Honey Fest on Sept. 21, 2014. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Volunteer Mike Duss bakes cornbread in Dutch ovens during Honey Fest on Sept. 21, 2014. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

 

Honey from the Indian Creek Nature Center is offered on samples of cornbread baked by 20-year volunteer Mike Duss. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Honey from the Indian Creek Nature Center is offered on samples of cornbread baked by 20-year volunteer Mike Duss. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Children enjoy games during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Children enjoy games during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Guitarist Les Ohlhauser of Cedar Rapids performs during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Guitarist Les Ohlhauser of Cedar Rapids performs during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Face-painting was part of the fun at Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Face-painting was part of the fun at Honey Fest on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Bee-themed games were among the activities at Honey Fest in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Bee-themed games were among the activities at Honey Fest in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Honey in a variety of flavors is sold from Nielson's Honey Farm during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Honey in a variety of flavors is sold from Nielson’s Honey Farm during Honey Fest at the Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)