Did you know that the Vermont Maple Festival has been a staple in St. Albans, VT for more than 50 years? It’s held on the last weekend in April and features a wide range of events and attractions dedicated to – you guessed it – maple syrup. Pure Vermont Maple Syrup is a hot commodity across the country, and the three-day Maple Festival is the perfect place to try it! Here are some things you should know before you go.
Learn more about the Vermont Maple Festival when you download our free vacation guide. It’s full of recommendations for fun things to do during your stay with GetAway Vacations!
Spend a Day at the Vermont Maple Festival
Kid-Friendly Carnival
The Vermont Maple Festival is a wonderful event for the whole family. If you’re traveling with kids, take them to the carnival at the District Courthouse parking lot on Lake Street. Little ones will love riding the carousel, and visitors of all ages can check out the adult rides. Don’t forget to test your skills on the classic boardwalk-style games!
Maple Festival Grand Parade
Floats, horses, marching bands, and fire trucks make their way down Main Street during the Maple Festival’s Grand Parade. Guests can stroll the sidewalk and browse a variety of food and beverage stands as the parade goes by.
Maple Syrup & Products Contest
The Maple Syrup Festival boasts the largest maple contest in Vermont. Here, sugarmakers from across the state compete for the prestigious “Best of Vermont” award. Each syrup is judged on its thickness, clarity, color, density, and flavor, and is carefully evaluated by an experienced panel. Other products like maple sugar cakes and maple cream are also judged.
Pancake Breakfast
Of course, the best part about the Vermont Maple Festival is tasting the syrup. At the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, guests can munch on light, fluffy pancakes, maple sausages, and local Cabot cheese – all dripping with ooey, gooey maple syrup. This event takes place at the City Elementary School on Bellows Street.
Sap Run
On your mark, get set, go! The annual Sap Run is held on the last day of the festival and is an awesome event for experienced runners and beginners alike. If you don’t want to trek all 8.5 miles on your own, feel free to grab a friend and partner up for a relay run. Winners receive a bottle of deliciously sweet Pure Vermont Maple Syrup after the sprint.
Maple Store
Don’t forget to visit the Vermont Maple Store before you leave the festival. This gift shop has a wonderful assortment of products including fudge, cookies, popcorn, salad dressing, and more. And they all feature Pure Vermont Maple Syrup as an ingredient! You can also pick up clothing items and souvenirs to bring home with you.
Book Your Stay with GetAway Vacations
Now that you know about the Vermont Maple Festival, it’s time to start planning your getaway! Our luxurious rentals have everything you need for a fun family vacation, including comfortable rooms, gourmet kitchens, and spacious living areas. We even offer a number of specials and packages to help you save on your trip! View our accommodations to see what’s available and contact us today to make your reservations. We look forward to having you!
Looking for more fun things to do?
Read our blog about the Vermont Cheese Trail!
