Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association (NEKBA) 2026 Funday and Queen Rearing Day
June 5-6, Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. Lawrence, KS 66046
Queen Rearing Day
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dr. David Peck and David Burns bring years of hands-on queen-rearing experience to guide you step by step through the process. You’ll learn firsthand how to select superior stock, graft larvae, build and manage starter and finishing hives, and understand the essential biology behind successful queen rearing.
Cost: $100, includes boxed lunch and beverage
Bring your veil or bee jacket. Registration is limited to 40 participants, so register now! You need one year of beekeeping experience and be at least 12 years of age (with a registered adult).
2026 Funday
Saturday, June 6, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., plus an Evening Program
Join us for a day of beekeeping education and hands-on interactive sessions! Featuring expert guest speakers, an open teaching apiary, and value-added talks. Enjoy lunch and honey ice cream! We will also again have a photo contest and hive-painting contest.
Keynote address by David Burns. Other speakers include Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, Brian McCornack, Matt Brandes, Buck Bradley, Tim Gogolski, Jess Popp, Kristi Sanderson and Joli Winer. Stay tuned, more will be announced soon!
Cost: $50, Youth (6-18) $15; additional $20 fee for the Evening Presentation & Dinner
Get more information for both days at www.NEKBA.org. Register at https://square.link/u/LsO9QYKn
Parking your RV or travel trailers will be allowed on the Douglas County Fairgrounds. You will need to make reservations with Paige Vannicola at pvannicola@dgcoks.gov or 785-832-5296.
We have reserved a block of rooms at Holiday Inn Express (3411 S. Iowa St. in Lawrence) for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, $139 per night. Call 785-749-7555 and give them the code Beekeepers Meeting.
Book your travel early! The World Cup teams and visitors will be in the Kansas City area, including Lawrence, during this time frame so hotels may book up earlier or prices may be increased.
