With the 20th Gran-Bee approaching on Friday, April 25, here are 20 things you should know about the Bee:
- The Gran-Bee is a free, family-friendly trivia contest and silent auction fundraiser run by the Granby Education Foundation.
- Proceeds from the Gran-Bee benefit the GEF Community Fund, which provides grants to schools and non-profit organizations in Granby for educational programming.
- The Bee was established in 2004 and occurs every spring, except during COVID (‘20-’21).
- Teams of three compete against one another in rounds, called SWARMS. Winners from each swarm compete in the Championship Swarm to determine which team will be the “Grand-Bee.”
- Each year, about 25 teams compete in the Bee. Many teams are sponsored by local businesses and Granby BOE members often sponsor student teams from GMHS.
- Members of the Granby community have acted as Gran-Bee judges over the years, including members of clergy, elected town officials, board of education members, librarians, school administrators, teachers, former Bee winners and this year, former GEF members.
- Our mascot, Grant Bee, is all honey, no sting and very photo friendly!
- Granby resident Bill Percival was the longest running Gran-Bee MC (six years), and former First Selectman Scott Kuhnly was MC for five years.
- This year Wells-Road teacher Jim Whitten brings his brand of engaging, musical and child-friendly antics back to the role of MC at the Bee for a fourth year!
- Funds are raised at the Bee from sponsorships, team fees, auction donations, concessions and on-site donations. Many companies from towns throughout the Farmington Valley (not only Granby!) support the Bee to make this event a hit.
- Granby Memorial High School students have earned hundreds (maybe even thousands) of hours towards the community service requirement for graduation by volunteering at the Bee working on concessions, setup of the event, being prize runners for the auction and as our mascot, Grant Bee.
- In addition to the trivia contest, teams can also enter the costume contest at the Bee.
- Each year, our GEF “trivia bees” come up with over 100 trivia questions. We have had a year or two where we almost ran out of questions because of multiple tie breakers!
- The Honey Jar Silent Auction has many wonderful items and experiences to bid on, from golf outings and summer camps, gift cards and baskets to experiences like “Superintendent for a day.” Parents of 2025 grads can also bid on prime, front row seats at graduation!
- Concessions at this year’s Gran-Bee are being provided by the Granby Fine Arts Booster club in support of their efforts to help fund the arts at GMHS.
- Trivia topics include Arts and Literature, Food and Drink, Geography, Granby and the State of Connecticut, History, Pop Culture, Potpourri, Science and nature, and sports and leisure.
- In honor of the 20th Grand-Bee, there will be a new topic of questions centered around the significant number “20” that will come into play in this year’s trivia!
- The team from Holcomb Farm has won the most Gran-Bee contests over the years with The Drones and the BeeS tied for second. Holcomb Farm has won the last three consecutive years, so they are the team to beat!
- “Grand Bee” winners receive a trophy, a six-month membership to the Farmington Valley YMCA, and bragging rights.
- The 20th Gran-Bee Trivia contest and Silent Auction is being held Friday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Granby Memorial High School auditorium. Join us for a great night out and to raise money in support of education in Granby!
