The 2023 Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival was held over the weekend in Trent Hills.
It’s the first time since COVID, the Maple Syrup Festival has been in full swing and the weather on Saturday, March 11, 2023 couldn’t have been better.
Bus loads of people were dropped off at the Sandy Flat Sugar Bush to enjoy a steaming hot pancake and sausage breakfast.
Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate was helping serve breakfast and said it was great to see all the smiling faces.
“It means everything when you think it’s a beautiful day and we’ve bringing all these people to Northumberland County and Trent Hills. It just makes it a fantastic winter day.”
After a delicious breakfast there were many things to take in at the Sugar Bush including going for a horse drawn wagon ride, nature trails, traditional sawing, sapscicles, music and entertainment and of course learning how to make maple syrup.
Charlie Jones was in the Sugar House explaining to the visitors about the process of making maple syrup.
Jones said with a smile he is the self-titled “quality control” operator.
The process of evaporating the water out of the maple sap takes hours.
“Really hot, and boil and boil and boil,” said Jones.
Forty litres of sap works out to one litre of syrup.
The amount of syrup produced, “drastically changes” from year to year.
It could range from 20 to 40 barrels depending on the year.
At Sandy Flats Sugar Bush there are 4,200 trees spread over 50 acres of sugar busy.
“There is tons of work,” but Jones loves what he does and looks forward to it every year.
All the proceeds at Sandy Flats Sugar Bush go towards the Warkworth Community Service Club.
In Warkworth it was just as busy and although parking in downtown is something you’ll always find – not this weekend.
With busses going to the Sugar Bush from Warkworth parking was at a premium, but there was also lots to see and do in downtown.
From the artisan show and sale to visiting shops and restaurants many families would just happy being out enjoying the gorgeous weekend.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
