The first weekend of the Maple Syrup Festival at John R. Park Homestead attracted people from around the area, including Amherstburg.
The festival is in its 42nd year, according to site curator Kris Ives, and the first weekend featured a lumberjack theme. Events included a moustache and beard contest, lumberjack and lumberjill costume contest, axe throwing, taffee making, a market, a chance to try out stilts and more.
Ives said attendance was strong in the first weekend. The Hom
estead is operated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).
“We’ve had people come from as far as Woodstock,” she said.
Sap evaporation, both pioneer and modern methods, were shown with trees at the site tapped as well. Food was also available for purchase on site.
“A lot of people come and spend the full day,” added Ives.
Ives added it is a sentimental event for many people, as a lot attend yearly. Others came for the first time, with Ives saying a family from Ukraine came and were excited to learn about maple syrup and how it is made. French-Canadians from Windsor-Essex County also attend, recalling processes of making syrup that they remember from when they were younger.
“A lot of families from the area attend year-after-year,” she added.
Among the vendors that attended the market were representatives from the Park House Museum in Amherstburg. Curator Kat Schryburt and volunteers were on hand selling lanterns and other tinware, and helped people make their own decorations out of tin.
“It’s been going very well,” said Schryburt. “It’s very steady. It’s great (the Homestead) supports local vendors. We’ve always had a good relationship between the two museums.”
John R. Park and Theodore Park were brothers, with the latter being for whom the Park House Museum is named.
“It’s always great when we can support each other,” she said.
The Park House Museum has its own events coming up, as they host a St. Patrick’s Day storytelling and music event this weekend. Storyteller Olwyn Coughlin will be on hand Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with music and soda bread to be part of the event. Schryburt said that space is limited and is almost full, though people can e-mail parkhousemuseum@gmail.com to reserve one of the spaces that are left.
The Park House Museum opens for the 2025 season this Wednesday, Schryburt added.
Kory Renaud, owner of Amherstburg-based Cerebral Escape Creations, was another of the vendors. He said attendance was fantastic and among the highest he has seen.
“I do it every year,” he said. “This year, there are a lot more people.”
The nice weather was likely one of the reasons for the good turnout, he believed.
The second and final weekend of the Maple Syrup Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The theme is “Tasters Weekend” where people will be able to sample baked goods, maple butter, maple sugar, various syrups and more. This weekend will also feature a butter tart contest, winter hikes, and “Tasters Row.” A Maple Market will also be on site.
Tickets are $8 for adults $6 for children and seniors and $30 for a family. John R. Park Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, just east of Colchester.
Maple Syrup Festival returns to area, enjoyed by those from Amherstburg
By Ron Giofu
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