Sweet Success at the 2026 Honey Cup!

The Northeast New Jersey Beekeepers Association (NNJBA) celebrated another milestone event on Saturday, September 19th, as community members and bee enthusiasts gathered at the Montvale Senior Center for the annual 2026 Honey Cup. Packed with family activities, educational showcases, and plenty of local honey, the day served as a vibrant showcase of NNJBA’s mission to connect the public with the fascinating world of apiculture.

Leadership in Action & Community Partnerships

This year’s event was spearheaded by NNJBA 1st Vice President Joe Petruska, whose dedicated planning ensured a seamless experience for attendees of all ages. Joining forces with Joe was his wife, Lauren Petruska, leader of Girl Scout Troops 98714 & 99108. The partnership highlighted the strong ties between local beekeeping leaders and youth organizations, creating an inviting, family-friendly atmosphere throughout the center.

NNJBA President John Vervoort kept attendees engaged at the Observation Hive, challenging curious visitors of all ages to spot the queen bee among the working hive.

Hands-On Learning & Volunteer Dedication

Beyond the tasting tables, the event was filled with interactive educational stations made possible by enthusiastic volunteers and leaders:

• Interactive Bee Education: Ms. Kristen Lindstrom hosted a beautiful interactive display detailing the different types of bees and their unique roles within the hive ecosystem.

• Live Demonstrations & Displays: Visitors explored full beehive setups, handled essential equipment, and watched live demonstrations on how to properly light a bee smoker.

• Youth Activities & Shopping: Children created colorful bee artwork at the coloring tables, while local shoppers stocked up on fresh, local honey products from member vendors.
  
  
  

The 2026 Honey Cup Winners

With 16 honey entries in competition, over 200 ballots were cast by attendees participating in blind taste tests for Light Honey, Dark Honey, and the Best Honey Jar Label. Congratulations to this year’s top entries:

Looking Ahead

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the volunteers, leaders, troop members, and community participants who stepped up to make the day such a resounding success. The venue provided the perfect setting, and the enthusiastic feedback reflects the hard work of everyone involved.

We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's event!