By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

Photo by Morgan Pilz
The Ocean Pines Farmer’s Market introduces a
new mascot called Buzzy the Honey Bee who
dances and teaches children facts about bees.

(July 18, 2019) What’s the local buzz? The Ocean Pines Farmer’s Market in White Horse Park has introduced a new mascot: Buzzy the Honey Bee.

Buzzy debuted at the farmer’s market two weeks ago, offering children lollipops, bee facts and fancy dances moves.

“Buzzy represents the bee, which is very important for pollination, which supports everything that we need and consume,” David Bean, director for the Ocean Pines Farmer’s Market said. “We love bees, we absolutely have to have bees. Without bees there would be no farming.

“She’ll be with us each weekend throughout the summer,” he continued. “She tours the market and hangs out with shoppers and she’ll be hanging out in our Kid’s Market Zone [among] some other fun things.”

Bean and Assistant Market Manager Lenore Brady came up with the idea a few months ago, and knew the mascot had to be a bee in order to educate children about the insect’s importance to the environment and the market.

“We felt like we needed a mascot for the market,” Brady said. “What was more logical than bees because we need fruit. We thought it would help the kids recognize that bees are very important to farmers.”

Brady donated the costume through her Delaware-based farm Stag Run Farm, a year-round vendor at the market also based in Georgetown. With a large apiary, Stag Run Farm has hives that pollinate all its various crops. It also offers Chrissy Bee’s Honey at the market.

Portraying Buzzy is Jaya Shaub, 14, a ninth-grade student at Sussex Tech High School in Georgetown, Delaware. Shaub is also the one who gave Buzzy her name.

As a paid position and a chance to interact with children, Shaub knew she would love the opportunity to portray Buzzy.

“Seeing the little kids so happy when they come up and say, ‘Mom! Look what Buzzy gave me,’ that makes me happy,” Shaub said.

According to Bean and Brady, Buzzy has been a huge success for the market.

“Everybody loves her,” Bean said.

“I think the [shoppers] love that we have the music and Buzzy out there walking around and representing the bees and the market … everyone seems to love the atmosphere of the market,” Brady said.

The Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market runs Wednesdays, through Aug. 28, and Saturdays, year-round, at White Horse Park on 235 Ocean Parkway in Ocean Pines. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.oceanpines.org/amenities/ocean-pines-farmers-and-artisans-market.