March and early April are maple sap running months in Vermont. Just in case you hadn’t noticed – it’s serious business for Vermonters. During the short season Maple Sugarhouses burn the “midnight oil” as they try and cram as much sap gathering and maple sugaring as possible.

The sap is best processed within 48 hours of gathering otherwise the quality spoils.

Vermonters are no wimps when it comes to hard work. But they also know how to play. And so when all the saps been gathered, and the last drop has been boiled to syrup or sugar, then it’s time to have some fun and celebrate.

The Vermont Maple Festival is the Big Daddy of Vermont events in April. This year it takes place in St. Albans between April 28-30th, 2006. St. Albans is in Northwest, Vermont, on Beautiful Lake Champlain, and 27 miles north of Burlington.

The tagline of this year’s festival is “Something for Everyone.” And as I run down the list of planned events I think the organizers have met their goal. Here’s just a selection of activities planned for the weekend…

Antique Show and Sale:

Whether your taste is 18th century primitives or 20th century retro gadgets, Connoisseurs and beginning collectors alike will find something to satisfy their desires! The show is held at the Town Education Center Saturday and Sunday.

Fine Art and Craft Shows:

The Fine Art Exhibit and Sale will be held at the St. Albans Historical Museum. During the three days access to the Art Show and Museum will be free. The Fine Art show will feature oil and watercolor paintings, fine art photographs, illustrations, digital art, mixed media, and prints by more than two dozen Franklin County artists.

The Craft Show will be located in the Bellows Free Academy gymnasium, Main Street. The show will feature traditional items and the latest in craft innovations. More than 50 vendors will be showing their delights and wares.

The Maple Festival Exhibit Hall:

Did somebody mention Maple? The exhibit hall will have educational displays and videos about Vermont maple and how it’s produced, and of course you’ll have plenty of opportunities with the maple contests and vendors to purchase that gift for a special person. Cooking contests and demonstrations will go on throughout the weekend. This all happens at The Bellows Free Academy Cafeteria.

The Pancake Breakfast:

What would a Maple Festival be without pancakes and sausages for breakfast? The Pancake Breakfast gets Festival-goers off to a maple-good start on both Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. ‘til noon.The Pancake Breakfast is held at City Elementary School, on Bellows Street. Tickets, available at the door, are $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for children ages 3 to 10.

The Parade:

Well, let’s face it… you can’t have a festival without a parade, especially when it’s all about Vermont Maple! Fancy Floats, Marching Bands, Bag Pipers, Prancing Horse Teams, the Maple King and Queen and other triumphant Festival winners riding in convertibles, Zany Clowns, Scout Troops, shiny Fire Trucks, Tractors new and old, and much more – all make their way through St. Albans in the annual parade that is one and a half hours of crowd pleasing entertainment for youngsters and oldsters alike!

And Lots More…

Other activities planned for the weekend includes: A Carnival, live performances on the Main Street stage, the Fiddlers’ Variety Show, and of course everybody’s favorite… The Vermont Maple Store.

For details on the above activities and many more events planned check out the official web site by clicking here.

For ideas and suugestions for more destinations and attractions in Northern Vermont, check out my special Vermont Vacations page by clicking here.

Look for another post next week.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacations and Destinations Guide

Related posts:

1. 2009 Vermont Maple Syrup Season off to Good Start
2. Celebrate a New England Fourth of July at these Unique Destinations
3. New England Maple Syrup Resource List
4. Maple Syrup In New England
5. March is Maple Sugarhouse Month in New England