Without bees, there would be no honey.

And without honey, the long-running and popular Bread and Honey Festival in Streetsville — which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year — just wouldn’t be the same.

So, organizers have partnered with Pearson International Airport to do something about it. The airport has donated 15,000 wild flower seeds that will be distributed at the festival, which runs Friday, June 2 to Sunday, June 4.

The hope is that people will plant the seeds that will eventually flower and provide stability to the bee population, which is reportedly in heavy decline. Bees play a vital role in the ecosystem, as they and other pollinators help spread the pollen that allows plants to reproduce.

Sandy Pitts, the festival’s event co-ordinator, said this new campaign is one they hope to build on each year.

Meanwhile, somewhere around 50,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festivities happening at Streetsville Memorial Park. Streetsville’s Ardent Mills will provide the flour to make the free bread that comes with a dollop of honey for those who attend.

While the festival, which has been named to Festivals and Events Ontario’s 2017 top 100 list, is marking a milestone this year, extra attention is being paid to Canada’s 150th anniversary. For example, the Busy Bee children’s island is stocked with Canadian-made arts and crafts, while the one-mile race on the Saturday will see participants getting a medal with Canada’s flag stamped on it.

As well, the popular parade on the Saturday that starts around 10 a.m. will feature a theme of Canada’s colours, while a select number of cowboy hats and Canadian flags will be handed out to festival goers. There’s also going to be a massive birthday cake celebrating the country’s anniversary.

Both current Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and former mayor Hazel McCallion will be part of the parade, with Crombie leading it.

There’s even a new mascot: a bee named Sam. He’s named after the festival’s first president, Sam McCallion.