Chilton County is hosting the Alabama Beekeepers Association 2018 Fall Conference for the fifth year in a row Sept. 21 and 22.

The two-day event will be held at the Clanton Conference & Performing Arts Center and will feature a variety of exhibits and lectures about the world of beekeeping.

Roughly 44 different topics will be covered throughout both days.

According to association vice president and Chilton County resident Bill Evans, there will be presentations for both beginner and seasoned beekeepers.

The interest in beekeeping as a hobby is continuing to grow, and Evans expects more than 500 people to attend this year’s conference.

Beekeepers from throughout the state and vendors across the country will make the trip to Clanton for the event.

Chilton County has become a fixture within the state for hosting at least a couple of bee conferences each year.

Evans has seen the growth in beekeeping first hand over the past couple of decades and the difference it has made in his home county.

According to Evans, when he joined the association 25 years ago there would be less than 100 people taking part in such an event as the fall conference.

Not only has there been an uptick at the statewide level, but also with the Chilton County Beekeepers Association, which has 77 members.

Twenty-two vendors will come from as far as Minnesota to set up shop and promote their beekeeping products at the event.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. both days and ends with a banquet in the exhibition hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 and door prizes, Honey Show Awards and closing remarks from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 22.

Lunch will be provided from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on both days.

During that time Donald Short, with the Chilton County Beekeepers Association, will perform an open hive demonstration outside behind the conference center. The demonstration will be dependent on the weather.