Have you ever attended the Fall Harvest Celebration at Hunter's Honey Farm? My family has attended this annual event a let me tell you, it's always a ton of fun! This wasn't our first trip to Hunter's, but it was the first time we were able to attend this special celebration of the harvest... and boy, was my not-quite-five-year-old excited! No matter what the age, your kids will love learning more about honey bees and how they contribute to our world through pollination and make life a little sweeter at the same time. 

Hunter's has been in operation in Morgan County for more than 100 years. Four generations of the Hunter family have worked with honey bees to create a wide variety of awesome products, starting with their tasty honey, of course. The farm is open year around, so you can schedule a tour any time, but the Fall Harvest Celebration is always held in mid-September and offers a fun event to celebrate the end of another season. This year's event is September 21, 2019.

Have you ever seen how beekeepers harvest honey from live bee hives?  The Fall Harvest Celebration includes a live hive demonstration! There are also free opportunities to tour the honey barn and learn from the experts exactly how all that sticky natural sweetness is processed and bottled into cute little bear-shaped bottles. 
Let the experts explain how honey is harvested... and processed for packaging.

It's not all about the honey though... there are always lots of fun activities for kids of all ages, including pony rides and even chance encounters with other animals! (Vendor booths may vary from year to year. Contact the honey farm directly for information on who will be at the event this year.)
Enjoy a Pony Ride. Meet rescue animals.
 
Ever been on a Pony Cart? Mini Donkeys are fun and friendly.

There are also demonstrations, both from outside vendors such as this chainsaw carver, and from the honey farm staff. You'll see how honey byproducts, such as beeswax, are turned into useful and beautiful products such as candles! 
Watch a chainsaw carver at work. Using beeswax to make candles.

There are other kid-friendly activities as well - hayrides, face painting, and fun hands on activities such as rolling your own beeswax candle!
Time for a hay ride! Hands on kids' activities.

If you go, plan to stop in at the Busy Bee Cafe. The food is honey-inspired and always amazing - pork chops and hot dogs, honey tea and lemonade, snow cones, honey ice cream... and Gregory Orchard is  usually on hand as well with other fall flavors to enjoy, including pumpkins, apples, preserves and more.

Vendor booth from Gregory Orchard.

Of course, a visit to the gift shop is always a must when you're anywhere in the vicinity. They now carry bee-themed Maggie Bags, and it's impossible to leave without some tasty honey (and often a selection of yummy honey snacks too), and you've got to stop and check in with the demonstration hive. My little one is always on the hunt for the Queen bee... he knows she's in there somewhere! 
The gift shop carries more than just honey! Check out the farm's demo hive.

Obviously, we had a wonderful time at this signature Morgan County event. There's something for just about everyone to enjoy at the Hunter's Honey Farm Fall Harvest Celebration - the most daring visitors can even take a brief helicopter ride over the beautiful Morgan County landscape! 
Helicopter rides, if weather permits.

We'll definitely be adding this to our family's annual event calendar - maybe you should, too. Better yet, come out to Hunter's for a visit any time. The Honey Farm is located just outside of Martinsville, Indiana on West Honey Lane. Tours are always available, and can be customized for various age groups and/or families based on your interests! 
Hope to see you there!

If You Go:
Don't miss the chance to explore more of Morgan County while you're in the area! Other must visit stops that are nearby or "on the way" include Burkhart Creek Park, which is a great place to run off some steam before the ride home and Tomato Pie Pizza Joint, in case you need to refuel with something cheesy. Other fun fall attractions include Anderson Orchard in Mooresville where you can pick your own apples, raspberries and pumpkins, Grandpa Jeff's Trail Rides in Morgantown and the White River Greenway Trail at Waverly Park. Be sure to check out all the other events coming up around the county on our event calendar, check out our Fall Fun page and explore where to stay if you'd like to make it a weekend (or longer). Both Mooresville and Martinsville have fun downtown areas filled with unique eateries and fun boutiques to explore.