Banjos, Bees, and Beer at the Honey Bee Folk Festival

Carlton, Minnesota is home to Jay Cooke State Park, a collection of cute homes including the Oldenburg House, a bed & breakfast and event venue. The Oldenburg House is large and beautiful with pristine white pillars and a large wrap around porch.

Four Mile Portage performs on the Oldenburg porch while rain sprinkles around them.

The rain and gloomy skies made Saturday cold and melancholic. Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4, the Oldenburg House held the Honey Bee Folk Festival in their surrounding property. In puddles on the property of the Oldenburg house, feet were stomping and people were enjoying the music that filled the humid air. Bands took turns playing on a small stage located on the wrap around porch and a larger stage under a large, white tent.

Northern Shoveler plays some of their classic Folk music

The rain was less of a nuisance to the festival and more of an added depth of percussion. Superior Siren welcomed the rain to accompany their eerie style. While Four Mile Portage and Northern Shoveler made light of the rain by making jokes and embracing it. Northern Shoveler noted that without the rain, there would be no plants or flowers, thus no bees for pollinating.

Superior Siren performs under a large tent on the Oldenburg property.

The buzz of the music was not the only thing going on at the Honey Bee Folk Festival. There was also plenty of “pollinator friendly” information and vendors. From the vendors to the performances on stage, the event brought a cozy, friendly experience with jokes, conversation, and music.