Any other year, this weekend would have attracted between 10,000 and 15,000 people to the Powassan Maple Syrup Festival.
Given the current COVID-19 situation, organizers were forced to cancel this year’s event.
But with a little ingenuity and the ability to think outside the box, the town of Powassan will still be celebrating all things maple, while supporting local maple syrup producers.
Saturday April 25 has been designated Pancake Saturday.
People are encouraged to make pancakes with local maple syrup,enjoying them in their own backyard, driveway or home, respecting physical distancing.
Kathie Hogan, events coordinator at 250 Clark, credited Deputy Mayor Randy Hall with inspiring people to use their creative side to come up with an alternative event to engage the public and keep maple syrup flowing.
“He approached me and said local maple syrup producers need a leg up, let’s go. So, I came up with the idea of having Pancake Saturday,” said Hogan.
“Actually, there was a weird comment on Facebook several weeks ago by a lady in town who said, ‘Why don’t we eat pancakes in our backyards and commiserate.?’ So that kind of resonated with me, and that is how Pancake Saturday got started.”
Participants can also enter a rather sweet contest which closes Sunday, April 26.
“All people are asked to do is make pancakes, take a photo and send it to Events at 250 Clark Facebook page or [email protected]. But if you want to be entered into the draw, make sure you put a clearly labeled jug of maple syrup in your photo. We have six jugs of maple syrup to give away. All of the local producers have given syrup to give away.”
Participants have been challenged to be creative in their pancake stylings.
“I have a lady who is celebrating an anniversary, and she made anniversary pancakes with 21 years on the griddle in pancake. So as always, people will be amazing and creative, and we’ll roll with that.”
During the day, starting at 9:00 a.m. maple syrup workshops are being held on Facebook.
“It starts with pancakes at Wand Family Farm, and then it goes to me doing maple glazed donuts and then maple party snacks at 1:00 p.m. Then at 3:00 p.m. it is taffy making and 5:00 p.m. is maple glazed chicken dinner and finally at 7:00 p.m. it is maple cocktails.”
Now into its third year, the annual Maple Hill Sap Run traditionally held the day following the festival, will be viral, with people selecting their own route.
“People are asked to run or walk 5 km or 10 km. It is coming out of Maple Hill Health and Fitness, and Jared Dupuis. The numbers have grown quite a bit over the two years,” said Hogan about Sunday's event.
“People are still running. They have paid their money and contributions are going to support mental health youth programming at the hospital in North Bay and youth programming at 250 Clark here in Powassan.”
People are asked to register online.
“To show they have participated, they send in a picture and they get their medal later on.”
Cancelling the festival was a disappointment, but Powassan once again is proving that where there is a will, there is a way.
“We’ll celebrate anyways,” said Hogan.
“Powassan is vibrant and amazing, and we are going to celebrate maple syrup regardless of whether we can do it together with friends. So, we invite everyone back next year.”
