The weather was cold, but the smiles were warm at the 21st Annual Powassan Maple Syrup Festival Saturday.
Powassan Mayor Peter McIsaac, says the direct impact the festival has on the community is priceless.
"The profile that Powassan gets on a day like today, thousands of people come to our community is incredible. They enjoy themselves, they look forward to it every year. It's on everyone's .calendar. Just look at it today. It's a little bit chilly out, it's about zero degrees right now but still thousands of people are on Main Street. It's great to see."
Not only was this Rod Raycroft's first time at the festival, it was his first time in Powassan. As the new executive director of Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Raycroft is beyond impressed with what he saw.
"I think it lives up to everything that's been described to me. This event has fantastic numbers, even though the weather today is a little chilly, it has filled the streets. It's amazing for me coming from a tourism background, a small town like this pulling in these numbers is incredible," said Raycroft.
"I've already talked to the mayor, and we've already indicated our support for this. Not only are we going to be doing some social media around this, we'll be doing some special sponsorships for it. Tourism is an economic driver for small town's and that's what we see here today."
Emma Hodgins and her husband brought their three young boys to give them a taste of what the festival is all about.
"It's great to come out, go exploring, have a great pancake breakfast, and stock up on maple syrup again," said Hodgins.
"My oldest is eight, and we've been coming since he was young. This is the first year we've brought our twins who are now three. Aside from the cold, it's great, they're having fun. It's going to continue to be a family tradition."
Al Paquette enjoys the family atmosphere.
"We've been coming every year since Gabriel was born. He's three now and we've got twin one-year-olds. I like all the vendors and the businesses. Obviously, the pancake breakfast which we finally got to try out was great, and Gabriel got his first little pony ride."
The festival is a big street party, where neighbours meet, and old friends bump into one another, getting caught up on the latest news.
"I buy maple syrup every year from my neighbours. I come here to buy it because I get a chance to visit with them as well. I've refereed hockey in North Bay for 30 years and I played baseball and hockey as well, and there's not too many people here that I don't know something about.," laughed Bob Mills.
"I'm here every year. I wouldn't miss it. I've been coming 15 or 16 years easy."
And for the past few years, he's been making memories with his 14-year-old grandson Mason.
"I like getting together and seeing everyone happy," said Mason.
"I like having the pancake breakfast with my family, and having maple syrup."
Among the close to 200 vendors sprawled out across Main Street was Gilmour Acres, one of an estimated seven maple syrup producers in the area.
"We're just a small family run business, and we still make syrup on my husband's great, great, grandparent's farm out in Chisholm Township," said Peggy Smith.
"He grew up making syrup and he just loves it. It's more of a springtime ritual for us and our family. We just love being in the bush and this gives us the opportunity to bring some syrup here and talk to people and let them know syrup is a good, natural, healthy product. It's such a big part of Canada and our heritage."
Another 50 vendors were set-up in the arena.
Joe Cundari is a first time vendor and he couldn't be more pleased with the response to his paintings.
"It's just been so much fun today and quite a few people from North Bay told me on Facebook they were coming down to see me and they did show up, and they were buying my paintings," laughed Cundari.
"Sales have been good, and I've got some commissions today too, that I'm going to start in the next few weeks. This festival is well organized, and just a bunch of friendly people."
Outside the area, the amateur lumberjack competition was drawing a big crowd.
"We have teams of six competitors per team. We had axe throwing, team crosscut sawing, team bow saw, firewood toss, two chainsaw events and the team relay at the end which involves axe throwing again, some firewood splitting, and the final part, tree tapping," explained Andy Straughan.
Out-going festival chair Roger Glabb said by mid-morning, attendance was between 5,000 and 6,000, with that number expected to grow over the course of the day.
"Realistically I think we're going to be looking at 14,000 which is great for a day like today. It's pretty chilly, so I'm quite ecstatic about the turnout. Without the people coming, it doesn't matter how many vendors we have on the street, they're the ones who support this event."
