Gather Round the Wildflowers Coming to Nine Hive Meadery
By Julie Perine on April 04, 2026
By any definition, the upcoming April 18 “Gather Round the Wildflowers” will be a sweet springtime event. Taking place on sprawling countryside featuring an apple orchard and honey-making operation, the first “Gather Round” pop-up market of 2026 will be an outdoor shopping experience with a little know-how on the side.
“The venue is Nine Hives Meadery in Lumberport, where mead is actually made,” said event Organizer Perris Reed. “It will be a perfect opportunity to see the operation, do some sampling, listen to live music, play cornhole, and do other outdoor activities in a family-friendly setting.”
The apple trees should be in bloom while shoppers stroll the goods of local and regional vendors including Loop Creative, Mon Valley Mushrooms, The Twisted Sister, Green Thumb Botanicals, Golden Rose Creations, Parties and Peonies, Abundant Mother Apothecary, This and That Bakery, OGC, Straight from the Heart Art, Bluebird Bakery, Green Acres Farm, L&C Fudge, and Lainey’s Cakepop. And, of course, attendees can also purchase bottled mead, honey. and other bee-related products like honey suckers, beeswax melts, candles, lip balm, muscle rub, and beard balm from Emily and Steve Howe, owners of Howe Sweet It Is and Nine Lives Meadery.
The Lunchbox and Mister Crab’s Catering and Boil Truck will be on hand throughout the event with lunch and dinner options.
There is no charge to attend, but donations to Bridgeport Farmers and Makers Market are encouraged. A QR code will be posted for easy online giving. The first BM2 market of the season takes place May 17 at Charles Pointe, where it will run 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays through October.
Emily Howe, who serves as BM2 board chair, said it means a lot to see the community come together to support small producers and makers.
“Events like this help strengthen the creative and agricultural community in our region and give people a place to gather, shop and support one another,” she said.
The former owner of Market on Main artisan shops, Reed is the owner of Gather ’Round LLC and director of the Bridgeport Farmers & Makers Market. She said the pop-up markets are designed to make it easier for people to support small businesses and for makers to find places to sell their work.
“Mother’s Day and graduation season are right around the corner, and we want to make it easy for people to find meaningful gifts while supporting independent makers and growers,” Reed said. “We know life is busy and it’s easy to run to a big box store, but these events give people a chance to shop thoughtfully and keep dollars circulating in our communities.”
Gather Round the Wildflowers follows a very successful Gather Round the Christmas Tree, held at The O by Oliverio’s. Reed looks forward to hosting more Gather Round events in the coming months.
Nine Lives Meadery is located at 1116 Cambria Rd., Lumberport, WV. The Saturday, April 18 Gather Round the Sunflowers runs 2-8 p.m., rain or shine.
