Picks of Canada

Given the vagaries of the weather these days, how does one know that Spring is coming in Canada? Well I can’t speak for all of Canada but in Eastern Ontario, the sure sign of Spring is the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival which occurs the second weekend in March.

It is back to school in colorful parkas and yellow school buses that port people from downtown Warkworth (lots of good shopping) to the Maple Syrup Festival grounds. Or you can drive there yourself, as the Festival is just north and west of town off highway 25. You just follow the signs and the tall pointing Jack Pines.

Oh you might want to listen for the music, because there is a lot of fiddlin’ going on. In fact there are lots of activities for young and old alike including horse drawn sleigh rides (yep, snow is usually still lurking around), taffy making and syrup drawing demonstrations, square dance and step clogging/dancing fun, and a fiddling concert by Classic Country and the Potter Band.

But be sure to come with an appetite – because the Maple Syrup Festival is all about pancakes, sausage and syrup. The Warkworthian cooks and dough flippers are well practiced in their talents. And a chill day has been known to put an extra pancake or two on the plate -to say absolutely nothing about your waist line. But remember the syrup is just hot distilled, often before your eyes from the surrounding maple forest and woods nearby.

Actually pancake and sausage fanciers will really have a treat as the batter always has a special brew each Fest. And I always sneak in a few blueberries to add a fruity garnish to the pancake feast. The cost is reasonable – $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. I always try to sneak in as “Pancake Child at Heart”

And not worry – they don’t spare the syrup – there is plenty more of that on brew all day long.

The fun of the Maple Syrup Festival is just getting together with old friends, having a good meal, not having to do the clean-up and dishes. Oh and the music. If you like down home and country with some fancy fiddling riffs – the Fest will serve you fine.

Fest Cleaners up and Batters up

So if you are looking for signs of Spring and a fabulous country meal – check out the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival – its early in March, just before Spring officially arrives.

Thanks to Mary Weilandt for the photos from past Warkworth Syrup Festivals.

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