From the official opening by Jeff Weiler Friday on the main stage at 6 p.m., the Vermontville Syrup Festival has a jam-packed schedule to please anyone and everyone. Vermontville, the home of the original Maple Syrup Festival in Michigan, starts Friday, April 26, continues on the 27th and 28th with a full schedule of things to do and see.
Some samples:
Friday: The official opening and presentation of the 2019 Maple Syrup Festival Queen and Court, maple syrup exhibits at Maple Manor and the Vermontville Historical Museum opens, Mid-America amusement rides in the downtown, pancake breakfasts at the American Legion and Fire Station, talent show winners and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Saturday: More pancake breakfasts, 5K walk/run, Maple Valley jazz band, arts and crafts for sale, a Children’s Parade, Mid-America amusement rides, on-going main stage entertainment, several choices of fundraising dinners, petting zoo, the Grand Parade, introduction of 2019 Grand Marshals, and the Little Miss Maple Syrup Pageant.
Sunday: More pancake breakfasts, saw mill and various displays, arts & crafts, Sunday Church Services, flea market, tractor pull, arm wrestling, petting zoo, egg toss and other games.
For much more, visit vermontvillemaplesyrupfestival.org
Michigan ranks fifth in the nation for maple syrup production. You can find producers staying with the most traditional methods as well as modern facilities using the latest techniques. All maple trees produce sap, with sugar maples the highest sugar content of two percent, followed by black, red, silver and ash-leafed maple with a sugar content of about one percent. It takes 40 gallons of syrup to produce one gallon of maple syrup.
