Say bye bye to the Bees: see them all one last time bee-fore they buzz off

There’s only another month left of Bee in the City, the sculpture trail that has captured the hearts of Mancunians.

But event organisers have today announced details for a celebratory farewell weekend. This special event will give Bee seekers the chance to see all the giant Bee in the City sculptures together for one last time.

All 101 of the Bees will swarm together for one final time in the Cycling Centre’s Velodrome, the training track for Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic cyclists. And it promises to be a sight to bee-hold.

“The farewell weekend will allow everyone to get up close and personal with their favourite Bee and see the diverse collection of creativity and talent in one location, which we’re clearly buzzing about,” says Shaun Brennan of the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre.

“The Bee in the City trail has undoubtedly helped ‘cross-pollinate’ the city and perfectly showcases Manchester to all visitors, as well as inviting locals to explore and take a moment to experience what’s already on their doorstep.”

Tickets are available for 90-minute time slots over the three day event, which will give Bee fans time to see all of the sculptures featured on this summer’s main trail.

There will be lots of family-friendly activities at the special farewell weekend, including free face painting, live entertainment, food stalls and a Bee in the City pop-up shop selling official merchandise.

There will also be the opportunity to meet some of the Bee in the City artists who will be showcasing their artwork at a special art fair.

People are encouraged to ‘collect’ any Bees they haven’t yet managed to see to complete their trail hunt and take a final look at the bee-autiful designs before the sculptures are auctioned off to raise funds for the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s We Love MCR Charity.

Over 70 of the giant Bees will be heading off to their new hives after the auction, but 23 super-sized sculptures that have been decorated by community groups will be staying in Manchester as a lasting legacy of the Bee in the City project.

All of the 131 little Bees will make their forever nests with the schools and youth groups that created them.

“It will be such a spectacle to see all of the Bees gathered together in the Velodrome for the farewell weekend,” said Sally-Ann Wilkinson, director of Wild in Art. 

“The Bee in the City trail has been a huge success so far and it’s all down to the people of Manchester, who have really made the trail their own. We expect the event to be incredibly popular so be a busy bee and book early to avoid disappointment!

“But the fun isn’t over yet! There’s still a month left of the trail, so if you haven’t yet completed it I urge you to grab a map and get Bee seeking or get involved with one of our many bee-themed events.”

The farewell weekend is from Friday 12th – Sunday 14th October at HSBC UK National Cycling Centre. Tickets are £2.50 – £15.00 (under 5s go free).

TICKETS