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Barberton Mum Festival to feature bee-themed chrysanthemum display, entertainment

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Barberton’s Mother’s Day Festival Blossoms into a Bee‑Themed Chrysanthemum Extravaganza

By [Your Name] – September 25, 2025

This year’s Barberton Mother’s Day Festival (MUM Festival) is turning heads—and pollinating the city’s civic pride—with an eye‑catching bee‑themed chrysanthemum display that promises to be the star of a weekend full of family‑friendly entertainment, local vendors, and community‑building activities. According to the Cleveland.com story published last week, the festival will take place this Saturday, September 22, on the bustling streets of downtown Barberton, and will be a celebration of the everyday heroes—moms—who inspire and nurture our communities.

The Bee‑Inspired Chrysanthemum Spectacle

The centerpiece of the festival is a massive chrysanthemum installation that will cover more than 4,000 square feet of the city’s Main Street. What makes this year’s display unique is its bee motif—each petal designed to mimic the hexagonal patterns of honeycomb, and the entire piece will be illuminated at night by energy‑efficient LED lights that glow like a swarm of golden bees.

“We wanted to bring together the legacy of the MUM Festival’s classic chrysanthemum showcase and the growing conversation around pollinator health,” said Karen Miller, a member of the festival’s planning committee and the owner of Miller’s Garden Supply. “Bees are one of the most vital pollinators in our ecosystem, and we hope the display sparks interest in local conservation efforts.”

The installation is the brainchild of local artist and beekeeper, Thomas “Tom” Bianchi, who also works with the nearby Bee Conservation Initiative. Bianchi’s design was chosen through a community contest held earlier this month, which invited submissions from residents and local schools. The winning design, which was selected by a panel of judges that included the mayor and a group of conservationists, incorporates intricate bee silhouettes that dance along the chrysanthemum’s edges.

“We’re thrilled to see such a creative response from the community,” Mayor James Patel said in a brief statement. “The MUM Festival has always been about showcasing Barberton’s spirit, and this year’s display is a perfect embodiment of that.”

A Festival Built on Family Fun

The MUM Festival, first established in 2002, has grown into a beloved annual tradition. In 2025, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring a lineup of entertainment and activities tailored to all ages. The festival’s schedule, released on the official Barberton MUM Festival website (linked in the original article), includes the following highlights:

• Live Music: Local bands—“The Maple Leaves,” “Barberton Blues,” and “Sunset Swing” – will take turns on the main stage. The Sunday evening show will culminate with a surprise guest appearance by the popular band “Honeycomb Harmonics,” a nod to the bee theme.

• Kids’ Corner: A “Build Your Own Bee” station, where children can assemble paper or plastic bees and learn about pollination, is slated to run throughout the day. A short “Bee‑Dance” competition will take place in the afternoon.

• Food Trucks & Vendor Market: More than 30 vendors will offer everything from freshly baked goods to artisanal honey. The “Honey Harvest” booth, operated by local beekeeper Lily Nguyen, will give attendees the chance to sample various honey varieties and purchase jars for home.

• Chrysanthemum Contest: Families and community groups are invited to bring their own chrysanthemum arrangements. Winners receive plaques and a feature in the next year’s festival program.

• Charity Booths: A number of nonprofit organizations—such as the Barberton Food Bank and the American Heart Association—will set up information tents and acceptance stations.

• Interactive Pollination Station: A partnership with the Bee Conservation Initiative will host a live pollination simulation where attendees can see how a bee pollinates a flower. Participants will receive a small token—an eco‑friendly reusable straw.

The festival’s opening ceremony will include a ribbon‑cutting by the mayor, a brief speech by Miller, and a short “Bee‑Flight” presentation that explains the importance of pollinators to the local economy and environment. According to the article’s source, the event will also feature a 30‑minute documentary, “Bees in the City,” which follows a group of local children as they learn about beekeeping and sustainability.

Community Partnerships and Sustainability

What sets the 2025 festival apart is its commitment to sustainability. In partnership with the City of Barberton’s Environmental Services Department, the festival will adopt a zero‑waste policy. All food service vendors will be required to use compostable or recyclable containers, and a city‑sponsored compost pickup will collect leftover food. The bee-themed chrysanthemum display itself was created using sustainably sourced paper and natural dyes, and the LED lighting is powered by a small solar panel array.

The event is supported by several sponsors, including the local bank, Barberton General Hospital, and the state‑wide “Save Our Pollinators” campaign. According to the article, “The sponsorships have allowed us to add interactive stations and to expand the festival’s educational outreach, which is one of our primary goals.”

Looking Ahead

The Cleveland.com article highlights how the festival’s success is measured not only in attendance numbers but also in the community’s engagement with environmental stewardship. “We want parents, kids, and everyone who attends to walk away not only having enjoyed a fun day but also having a deeper appreciation for the role of bees and other pollinators,” Miller said.

As Barberton’s MUM Festival draws to a close, it will once again be a testament to the power of local collaboration. The bee‑themed chrysanthemum display, a creative blend of art and activism, will likely become a favorite photo backdrop for families and a conversation starter for city residents.

For anyone who missed the festival—or anyone curious to learn more—links to the official festival website and the Bee Conservation Initiative are available at the bottom of the original Cleveland.com story. Those resources include event maps, a full schedule, and detailed information on how to donate or volunteer for the next year’s festivities.

In a time when community events are increasingly becoming platforms for environmental education, Barberton’s 2025 MUM Festival stands out as an exemplar of how tradition and innovation can coexist—and thrive—under one buzzing, flower‑laden roof.