Spring has finally arrived and across Muskoka the sugar shack fires are crackling. That means it’s time for sweet local maple syrup. The culmination of all the hard work of the sugaring season is the Muskoka Maple Festival. The 2nd annual Festival takes place on historic downtown Huntsville’s Main Street on Saturday April 29 from 8 am to 4 pm. With so many things to see, maple treats to try, and unique items to buy, here is a countdown of the top 5 reasons to head to the Muskoka Maple Festival.
#5 – The Entertainment
The Muskoka Maple Festival has an incredible and diverse line up of entertainment taking place throughout the day. Live fiddlers and bluegrass music will get you in the maple spirit. If you are feeling adventurous, take a throw at the BATL Axe Throwing Mobile Truck! There will also be Scottish Highland dancers, Kobbler Jay and his fire juggling performance, a drumming circle and a wildlife calling demonstration. For the kids there will be face painting and a performance by Lukas Stark, the amazing magical busker.
#4 – The Beer
It goes to show how good the festival is going to be when beer only makes it to number four! There will be a local craft beer garden featuring Muskoka’s three craft breweries: Muskoka Brewery, Lake of Bays Brewing Company and Sawdust City Brewing Co. In addition to having the opportunity to try many of their hand crafted brews, for a limited time you can also sample the “Pancake Breakfast” beer. For the first time the three breweries have collaborated on a project specifically for the Muskoka Maple Festival. Pancake Breakfast is a delicious combination of natural ingredients and pure Muskoka maple syrup.
#3 – The Sweets
Possibly the most well-loved use for maple syrup is to flavour indulgent sweet treats. Farmer’s Daughter will be serving their signature baked goods alongside maple drink specials like the maple mint latte and detox maple steamer. Seven Main Café will be offering an assortment of maple themed baked goods like cookies and muffins, while Whimsical Bakery will delight your taste buds with maple shortbread, maple eclairs and even a maple tart sundae. Erika’s Bakery will be bringing their famous butter tarts with special maple flavours to the festival and Granny Lyn’s Kitchen will be serving their Muskoka maple muffins.
#2 – The Food
It’s hard to believe that the food could be better than the sweets, but this year’s line up of chefs have really stepped up to the challenge. The festival starts off with the all day pancake breakfast, topped, of course, with absolutely sweet and delicious Muskoka maple syrup. Jeff Suddaby and his 3 Guys And A Stove crew will be on site serving up an amazing maple inspired menu including his pork back ribs with Muskoka maple molasses BBQ sauce. Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, the home of locally grown, environmentally conscious food, will be serving crêpes while the Huntsville Lion’s Club will be serving up an old-fashioned portion of peameal bacon on a bun. Also present will be the handcrafted sausages that have put the folks at Fork in the Road on the map.
#1 – Muskoka Maple Syrup
What would a maple festival be without litres of locally produced maple syrup? Muskoka has been creating and perfecting maple syrup for generations, and the Muskoka Maple Festival has been created to celebrate the sweet goodness that comes each spring from maple sugar bushes across the entire region. Muskoka’s maple producers will be on hand for demonstrations and tastings and they will be sharing their favourite maple infused and inspired products. Our 2nd annual festival features more producers than ever before. Head downtown to visit all of this year’s producers, including Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm, Sweetwater Maple Syrup, Sweet Muskoka, Hubbert’s Maple Products, Maple Bluff Farm, Mark’s Muskoka Maple and Windy Acres Maple Syrup. With so many choices you will be sure to find the perfect maple products for your family and friends.
The Muskoka Maple Festival is only a couple weeks away. $5.00 will buy you your festival all-access button. Pick them up from the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce and other participating partners, or get them at the event Saturday April 29. And when you’re there, don’t forget to check out our festival vendors including:
- Baggy Pants
- Burnt Timber Art
- Crimson Yard Co.
- Jim Carter Artist Blacksmith
- Live Edge Forest
- Mosaic Glass Art
- Sew Crazy
- The Potter’s Studio
There is still time to experience the Muskoka Maple Trail, a curated selection of the very best maple inspired attractions and adventures to get you in the maple spirit. And, be sure to follow the trail all the way to historic downtown Huntsville on April 29th for the Muskoka Maple Festival.
