March is Maple Month. Take a step back in time to
Highland County, “Virginia’s Sweet Spot.” Travel scenic back roads and majestic
mountain byways to the annual Highland County Maple Festival. In 2020,
there will be a new sugar camp open, bringing the total to 9 open sugar camps
with unique techniques and stories for you to explore. In addition to pancake
dinners, doughnuts and entertainment, over 100 high-quality juried vendors take
part in the festival each year. This year the 62nd Annual Highland Festival
takes place on March 14-15 and March 21-22.
Normally the Maple Festival is the only time visitors get to come by the sugar camps to see how the syrup is made. This year, though, the HIghland County Chamber of Comomerce is starting the Maple Syrup Trail, with ten sugar camps open all year for visitors to see how the trees do throughout the year and enjoy the scenery of Highland in other seasons. “Each one is unique. We go from modern to really traditional," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chris Swecker. "There’s again farmers that have been doing this for generations to some first-generation producers. And there’ll actually be two sugar camps that aren’t normally open during the festival that you’ll be able to visit as well.” The trail comes with a passport, where visitors can get stamps from each camp and go into the chamber for prizes.
Normally the Maple Festival is the only time visitors get to come by the sugar camps to see how the syrup is made. This year, though, the HIghland County Chamber of Comomerce is starting the Maple Syrup Trail, with ten sugar camps open all year for visitors to see how the trees do throughout the year and enjoy the scenery of Highland in other seasons. “Each one is unique. We go from modern to really traditional," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chris Swecker. "There’s again farmers that have been doing this for generations to some first-generation producers. And there’ll actually be two sugar camps that aren’t normally open during the festival that you’ll be able to visit as well.” The trail comes with a passport, where visitors can get stamps from each camp and go into the chamber for prizes.
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| Bloody Mary Brunch |
At any time during the
year if you’re looking for a tasty Virginia food gift, visit TheVirginiaMarketplace.com to see our gift baskets and gift boxes that feature one of Monterey, Virginia's sugar maple camps, Puffenbarger’s Sugar Orchard.
