Bee-Line to the Hive

|Enjoy Oxford|All, Events, Fun, Outdoors, Spring Events

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the City of Oxford will host a full day of outdoor fun and celebration inspired by the modern beehive invented by Lorenzo Langstroth, AKA “The Bee Man of Oxford” (Boen) at Miami University. This day is packed with two exciting events: O.A.T.S. n’ Honey 5k/10k and the Oxford Bee Festival. Visit the event page for more details!

Event Source

5k/10k runners on the Oxford Area Trails

Pt. 1) O.A.T.S. & HONEY 5K/10K Race

Join us for the O.A.T.S. n’ Honey 5k/10k, starting at 9:00 AM at Leonard Howell Park, Oxford, OH. The Oxford Area Trail System (OATS) will begin to offer an active way to celebrate the arrival of spring. Run, walk, or buzz along the paved trail to beat an old record, achieve a personal goal, discover historical landmarks, detour through the preserve, and more! Whatever you do, make sure to take in the sounds of nature along the way.

Pro tip: Visit the bird blind and pollinator garden on your route!

Race Registration

Race Packet Pick up:

Friday, April 17 (12PM – 5PM)
Enjoy Oxford Office
14 W Park Place, Suite C, Oxford, OH 45056

Race day packet pickup will run from 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM on Saturday, April 18th (1 hour before the races begin) at the event site:

Leonard Howell Park
5200 Bonham Rd. Oxford, OH 45056

O.A.T.S. & Honey 5K/10K maps

Both routes will begin and end at Leonard Howell Park.

OATS & Honey 5k map starting at Leonard Howell Park and turn around at the state route 73 underpass.

OATS & Honey 10k map starting at Leonard Howell Park and turn around at Peffer Park

O.A.T.S. & Honey Race Merch:

“The Oxford Hive” mural by Joe Prescher

Pt. 2) Oxford Bee Festival

After the race, the buzzing festivities will continue at the Oxford Bee Festival in Uptown Parks (Oxford Memorial Park), starting at 1:00 PM. Celebrate our essential pollinators with family-friendly activities, honey tastings, educational booths, and local vendors. Plus, the festival stage at the pavilion will be buzzing with live music all day!

Live Music Lineup

Portrait photo of King Bee & The Stingers band in front of old chapel doors — King Bee & The Stingers

(1-4:00 PM) The Wild Honeybees: a 9-piece, New Orleans style R&B dance band, dedicated to bringing the power of a live horn section back to the dance stage.

Check out The Wild Honeybees

(5-8:00 PM) King Bee & the Stingers: A 6-piece blues band from Bloomington, Indiana known for many singles being played across hundreds of radio stations nationally and around the world. Get ready as they bring the tunes to move under the Uptown lights.

Listen to King Bee & The Stingers

Festival Activities

Join us for a day filled with sweet music to buzz around while you enjoy buzzworthy fun! Stay tuned for updates! (dropdown list)

– Inflatable tree slide
– Wildflower bounce house
– Mini Putt-Putt Course
– Connect Four, Cornhole, & Gaga Ball
– Selfie-station flower arch at “The Oxford Hive” mural