Sweet relief from winter on tap with Maple in the County

Local maple producers, their families, municipal, provincial and federal political partners helped kick off the start of the sweet season

Sweet relief from a long, cold, icy winter is on tap in the launch of plans for the 18th annual Maple in the County festival.

A dozen sugar bushes are gearing up for another first harvest of the season which welcomes spring and the unofficial beginning of the tourist season in Prince Edward County.

“Maple in the County is proud to be Prince Edward County’s largest festival which kicks off the tourist season for The County,” said Ron Hubbs, event chair. “It’s the original driving tour of The County and helps release the cabin fever after our long winter.”

Jessie and Chris Armstrong, of LOHA Farms hosted the launch event at Lucks Crossroad, and for the third season, will forward proceeds from their pancake breakfast to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

“This will be their third season taking part in Maple in the County and they represent our values so well; next generation(s), hard work, community, and innovative and unique practices,” said Hubbs. “The hand crafted tables are only one fine example of such talent. Their evaporator is a reproduction of the Grimm Champion Evaporator, which is the fore-runner of today’s modern evaporator.”

Foundation executive director Shannon Coull and communications and donations co-ordinator Briar Boyce were pleased to join local maple producers, their families and municipal, provincial and federal political partners to kick off the start of this sweet season.

Sugarbush hosts for March 30th – 31 weekend include: Sweetwater Cabin/ Hubbs Sugarbush, Fosterholm Farms, Vader’s Maple Syrup, Nyman Farms, Sugarbush Vineyards, Waupoos Estate Winery and Sugarbush, Walt’s Sugar Shack, Strictly Maple, Three Dog Winery, Roblin’s Maple Syrup, Justin’s Maple Syrup, and LOHA Farms.

Vader’s Maple Syrup hosts Todd and Susan Vader will welcome visitors to the County’s longest running maple syrup operation – since 1910 – on the south shore of East Lake.

Visitors can tour their 3,000 tap maple production sap house, enjoy the sweet smell of maple while the sap boils and enjoy displays of antique and new equipment while munching on the Ty’s original recipe maple kettle corn – made from their own County-grown mushroom popcorn.

Kyle Baldwin, of Waupoos Winery and Sugarbush, has been making syrup for generations – beginning with his grandmother’s family in Quebec.

The winery will be offering its popular breakfast and maple inspired lunch; taffy in the snow and petting zoo along with complimentary wine and cider tastings.

Maple in the County celebrations extend beyond sugar bushes to the County’s restaurants, wineries, farm markets and public spaces.

Also in Waupoos, the County Cider Company will be serving a maple sage and sausage bread pudding with a maple sauce and pouring maple blueberry and maple bourbon ciders.

A full list of participants, activities and events is online at mapleinthecounty.ca