Festival/Event Rating ~ Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Each year the Town of Elmira proudly hosts its annual Maple Syrup Festival. This is a well attended event that encompasses the entire village plus an awesome Maple Sugar Bush and Farm located away from the town. The event includes  "shuttle wagon" services from nearby parking areas. The main downtown street is full of event vendors offering everything from great food to unique maple products. Just off the main street, all day pancake breakfast are being served. Close to the Pancake tented area kids can enter an old fashioned barn and learn about farm animals. Other parts of the town include a Craft Show, an Antique Show, a small Carnival/Midway , A Toy Sale and a Super Dog Show. All in all, it is a well run event that offers families plenty to do and see.

Event Advertising & Promotion  – Rating 5

The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival has an easy to use comprehensive website that includes pricing and event descriptions. It also includes such things as an event list and schedule, area information, directions to the event, activity descriptions and an event history. When we arrived, we were given an event program guide along with instructions on how to best enjoy the festival.

Curb Appeal - Rating 4

Finding a parking spot was a bit of a problem. This was both "bad" and "good". It was "bad" because like most of the events we attend there were very few directional signs. This is such an easy fix. It's amazing that most events still don't think directional sign are important, especially for out-of-town visitors. It was "good" for the organizers, because it was a beautiful day and there were a large number of people wanting to visit the event. This caused traffic tie-ups and full parking lots. I believe that the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival organizers did everything they could to alleviate this challenge, but the great weather beat them a little. Once we finally found a parking spot in one of the official parking lots, we were able to board one of the many "shuttle" wagons. The wagons took us right to the downtown area. It's unfortunate that the shuttle weren't "access friendly". Because of the terrain and the type of festival, it is not an easy fix.

Festival Site & Activities - Rating 4

As I mentioned in my introduction, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival is a well run event with plenty to do. I think the highlight for us may have been the Pancake Breakfast. Even though there were large numbers of people in line for pancakes, we were feed quickly and efficiently. The event is spread out, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking. On the downtown street there was a good mixture of vendors and activities. One challenge, especially because of the large number of visitors, was the pathways running on either side of the vendor booths. People tried to push their way in two directions. This caused a considerable bottleneck. We felt sorry for families with strollers or carriages for their small children. Again, this hard to control because of the shear number of people. A hard challenge for the organizers! Other than the downtown bottleneck, pathways were clear and easy to use. All of the activities were well organized and well attended. Each had a clear theme, so that visitors could pick and choose what they wanted to see. It was a long bus ride to the Festival's Sugar Bush, but once we got there it was well worth the trip. When we arrived, a fresh batch of "kettle popcorn" was being bagged. Inside the Sugar Shack, the steam from the boilers filled the air!

Festival Theme – Rating 5

The theme of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival is, of course, Maple Syrup and the festival organizers made sure that the theme was carried out throughout the even ~ the vendors selling maple products, the Pancake Breakfast and the Sugar Bush and Sugar Shack all enhanced the theme of the event, as does the timing of the event.

Final Thoughts - Overall Rating  5

It was a long drive from Cobourg to Elmira and the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, but the drive was well worth it. Judi and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I think my one reoccurring thought was how family friendly the festival was. There were plenty of activities for kids, from animal farm to yummy pancakes; an outdoor carnival/midway to a supper dog show and a fun Toy Sale to a trip to a Sugar Bush, plus a lot more! Adult family members weren't left out either, the vendor area, the Craft Show, the Antique Show and, the PANCAKES! Maple Syrup Festivals, in general, start the spring off right! The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, especially with great weather, not only makes for a great spring start but helps the winter blues fade into the past! 

 NOTE ~ A word of caution, however, the rating and evaluation are the "opinions" of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect those of the readers. Also, we do not attend an event for its entire duration. Our visits are only a “snap shot in time”. We would encourage readers to “discover” each event for themselves. Whatever you decide, remember that Ontario festivals and events are the best and so are their event organizers and their volunteers. Anything can determine how an event appears at any given time ~ weather, time, unforeseen circumstances, etc. Always keep an open mind and if you have a suggestion or concern about an event, let the organizers know. They will appreciate your input.

(Next Week - Dominion Day at Lang Pioneer Village)