Photos courtesy of Middletown Springs Historical Society
Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m. — MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS — Remarkable silent auction offers for vacation rentals, donations from local artists and craftspersons, merchants and professionals highlight the 28th Annual Maple Festival of the Middletown Springs Historical Society on Sunday, March 20 from 1-4 p.m.
The event will feature a demonstration of early maple sugarmaking in a cast iron kettle over an open fire. Local sugarmaker Ryan Mahar and historians David Wright and Jon Mathewson will give a presentation on maple sugaring history and current practice using examples from the Historical Society collection.
Delicious maple desserts created by Society members, Vermont maple products and new 2016 syrup will be available for sale. Old-fashioned sugar on snow and maple cotton candy are always favorites.
Acoustic music and kids’ activities enliven the free afternoon event. Videos about Vermont maple sugaring will be shown continuously.
Silent auction opportunities include stays at vacation condominiums or B&Bs in Williamsburg, Va., Charleston, S.C. and Middletown Springs; lessons in horseback riding, oil painting, poetry and memoir writing; offers for genealogical, natural science and historic architecture research; as well as fine craft items and donations from area businesses. A well-known area artist is offering a life-like oil portrait of your pet. You can also bid on a ride in a Model A Ford to a Historic Register-listed Italianate museum-mansion for a tour and a delicious tea.
A raffle with over 50 prizes including $100.00 and $50.00 in cash, maple syrup and maple products, craft items, and gift certificates from local businesses will go on continuously during the festival.
Museum exhibits on Middletown Springs history are on view during the festival. Admission is free and handicap accessible.
For more information about the Maple Festival call David Wright at 802-235-2376.
