Maple syrup fanatics will have to wait another year for the return of an area festival featuring the tasty pancake topping.
The Maple Syrup Festival at the A.W. Campbell Conservation Area was cancelled for a third straight year earlier this month. The event, hosted by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA), was scheduled to take place on March 19 and 20.
Manager of Communications Donna Blue said COVID-19 played a part in the cancellation.
"We didn't know what restrictions would be lifted and when they would be lifted, so it made planning the event challenging," she said. "And then we weren't sure of the level of participation that we would get from the community, we didn't know if we should schedule tours with limited numbers, we also had some concerns about if staff fell ill, we might have to cancel last minute."
The event sees interpretive staff provide guided demonstrations on the importance maple syrup has had in the lives of First Nation peoples and Pioneers, and how its production has changed through history.
Blue said staff at A.W. Campbell in Alvinston do a tremendous amount of work to get the site prepared.
"They have to grade the roads, get washrooms done. The days of the event, they start our fires for us, and then of course our conservation educators are gearing up to do tours for two days straight."
Blue said if they get good conditions, like they did in 2019, they can get quite a few visitors.
"We can see up to 1,000 people and we bring in anywhere from $800 to about $2,000 over the weekend."
Funds raised during the event go right back into the A.W. Campbell Conservation Authority.
with files from Josh Boyce
