Oregon Honey & Mead Festival returns Aug. 29 to Medford

The Oregon Honey & Mead Festival is set for Aug. 29 at historic EdenVale Winery in Medford, bringing honey tastings, mead, pollinator education and family activities to Southern Oregon. The event also spotlights veteran beekeeping, a new honey judging program and fundraiser support for pollinator education and community programs.

Why it matters: - The festival combines consumer fun with pollinator education, which matters for Oregon agriculture and ecosystem health. - The event also raises money for Cascade Girl Organization programs for children, veterans and the broader community. - Visitors can learn how bees support food production while sampling Oregon honey and mead in one place.

What happened: - The 2026 Oregon Honey & Mead Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at historic EdenVale Winery in Medford. - The event is hosted by Cascade Girl Organization. - Organizers are bringing together beekeepers, honey judging, pollinator experts, mead, live music and family activities. - The festival is set on the vineyards and historic grounds of one of Southern Oregon's oldest wineries.

The details: - Guests will find honey tastings, Oregon mead for purchase, educational presentations, live music, children's activities, local artists, food and chances to meet beekeepers from across the state. - Attendees can sample and buy honey directly from participating beekeepers and honey producers. - Honey Show USA judges David Matis and Erin Olmon will evaluate honey entries using nationally recognized judging standards. - The Black Jar Honey Competition will let attendees taste anonymous Oregon honeys and vote for a crowd favorite. - Educational presentations will feature Dr. Andony Melathopoulos of the Oregon Bee Project at Oregon State University and bee educator Dr. Dewey Caron. - The presentations will focus on honey bees, native pollinators and Oregon's pollinator landscape. - Adults 21 and older can buy mead from Oregon producers during the event. - Guests can enjoy complimentary honey tastings paired with cheeses from Rogue Creamery. - Festival exhibitors will include Oregon beekeepers and honey producers, meaderies, pollinator organizations, artists and educational groups. - Bee-Licious Honey will exhibit Oregon honeys from state beekeepers and a curated collection of rare honeys from around the world. - The festival also will include an update on Cascade Girl's veteran beekeeping program from project leader Paul Davitt and Chad Burger, director of recreation therapy at the White City VA. - The veteran beekeeping program has introduced more than 50 veterans to beekeeping.

Between the lines: - The festival is designed as both a marketplace and an education event, which broadens its appeal beyond honey buyers. - The honey competition and professional judging add a credibility element that can help visitors compare flavor, origin and quality. - The veteran beekeeping update signals that the festival is also a platform for workforce, therapy and community programming. - Bee-Licious Honey co-owner Jennifer Lytle said the event helps people discover how differently honeys can taste depending on flower source and geography. - Cascade Girl Organization President Sharon Schmidt said the event is meant to leave visitors with a deeper appreciation for bees and the habitat they depend on.

What's next: - Advance tickets are available through Eventbrite. - Tickets will also be sold at the festival entrance. - Children 12 and under get in free with a parent. - Veterans with proof of military service and Indigenous guests with tribal identification receive complimentary admission. - More information is available on the festival website.

The bottom line: - The Oregon Honey & Mead Festival is positioning itself as a statewide showcase for honey, pollinators and Oregon agriculture, with hands-on education and family-friendly activities at its center.