Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m.—MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS— Enjoy maple lore and demonstrations, sweet treats from local kitchens, a raffle and a silent auction featuring local artists and craftspersons, merchants and professionals, which highlight the 32nd annual Maple Festival of the Middletown Springs Historical Society.
The event will feature a demonstration of early maple sugarmaking in a cast iron kettle over an open fire by Phillip Mahar. 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.
Homemade soup and chili from Sissy’s Kitchen and delicious maple desserts created by Historical Society members, as well as Vermont maple products and new 2020 syrup, will be available for sale. Old-fashioned sugar on snow, pancakes and syrup, and maple cotton candy are always favorites.
Acoustic music by Paul Morgan and Friends and kids’ activities enliven the free afternoon event. Videos about Vermont maple sugaring will be shown continuously.
Silent auction offers include golf passes, 100 gallons of heating oil, genealogical research, a wine and cheese basket, a Vermont Country Store gift basket, craft items, lessons and services by local professionals, homemade pies, maple syrup, dining gift certificates and other donations from area businesses.
A raffle drawing with many prizes including $100 and $50 in cash, maple syrup and maple products, craft items, and gift certificates from local businesses will go on during the festival. Museum exhibits on Middletown Springs history are on view during the festival. Admission is free and the building is handicapped accessible.
