Maple, maple, everywhere

DSC_0007By Jaime Thomas

After all the preparations and a significant snowfall, the sap is flowing and it’s time for Maple Fest.

For about two decades, the Poultney Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the event, and this year there will be no shortage of maple-themed things to do.

“It’s going to be excellent; it’s a spring thing, people are getting out and there are a lot of things they can do for free,” said Chamber President Mary Lee Harris of this weekend’s event, which celebrates Vermont’s first crop of the season.

She said the weekend is one of the chamber’s biggest events of the year and has a few more elements this year, including a basket party and a craft fair at Poultney High School, which Harris expects to attract even more people.

There are already 35 vendors signed up for the fair, offering such items as jewelry, food, beading, dog treats, walking canes, and more.

“I think everybody loves craft fairs, but they’re usually all at Christmas. Being in spring is something new, and most of the crafters have told me they’re excited about it happening at this time of year,” Harris said.

The festival starts off with a pancake breakfast at the Poultney Methodist Church and a fun run on Saturday morning. During the day there will be many other activities, including a bag sale, horse-drawn carriage rides and a story time at the library. The story time will also include singing, crafts, and a snack.

Throughout the weekend there will also be open sugar house tours at Green’s Sugar House, Riverside Maples, Brayton and Foley Sugarhouse, Marshall’s Maples, and Woods Family Sugarhouse.

Food, such as maple cotton candy, soup and sandwiches, and a pork dinner, will be available at various locations in town throughout the day.

Harris also said various businesses in Poultney will have special sales throughout the weekend from 9 a.m. to close. For a full listing of where and when everything is happening, visit poultneyvt.com, or call Harris at 802-287-4114.