Maple syrup, one of Canada’s most celebrated delicacies, will be flowing through the Headwaters region (in a number of exciting forms) from March 28 – April 13, as the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association brings a brand new event to Caledon this spring. A Taste of Maple will tap into various locations across the Headwaters region to celebrate one of Ontario’s greatest prides and joy, while supporting our rural heritage. With a production level close to 1 million litres a year, Ontario is the second largest producer of maple syrup in the country after Quebec. [1]
Building on The Orangeville Optimist Club’s Annual Maple Syrup Festival the last weekend of March at Island Lake Conservation Area, A Taste of Maple will take a whole two weeks to celebrate one of Canada’s most important products, inviting the public to celebrate and visit a variety of local businesses, all who will be featuring Headwaters’ maple syrup in their dishes. The Annual Maple Syrup Festival brings thousands to the region every year, and Taste of Maple’s two weeks will continue building on the excitement and festivities. Maple syrup is a 100% natural product with no additives, and it is filled with minerals and plant proteins. Nature’s natural gift, there is no need to explain why such a product is worth celebrating.
While other local events successfully bring thousands to the region, the Headwaters Tourism Association wanted to grow an event that also specifically celebrated local products and purchasing. A Taste of Maple will not only support the local businesses by bringing many to the region (with the help of the Optimist Club’s already-established festival), but also have a special focus on celebrating the end local product that is being brought to the businesses. We are all aware of the benefits of supporting local products, and what a product to support when it’s the sweet taste of Canadian local trees. The true, authentic experience of tapping the syrup will also be demonstrated at the festival.
As maple syrup producers can also process the syrup into a number of other products, such as maple candies, butter, and sugar, it’s not just restaurants that can get involved – bakeries, specialty shops, candy stores, suppliers, and local attractions throughout the region will want to participate. It’s an exciting tourism event that provides local businesses with the opportunity to incorporate maple syrup into their products and showcase creative uses for locally produced maple syrup. It’s about making the important connection between producers and end users, and promoting it out to the market place.
Overall, A Taste of Maple will offer: a Maple Trail to discover some of the sweets and treats made with Headwaters’ maple syrup, festivals & events that promote and showcase maple syrup, food workshops & classes, a contest to find some of the best recipes using maple syrup, and ‘an Ode to Maple syrup’ – seeking the best prose, photography & art that celebrates maple syrup. The online recipe contest will actually help produce a cook book that will be released in the fall at the Taste of Harvest.
While bringing the region’s agriculture community together, in the end, it’s about celebrating maple syrup and getting people in the region involved in the celebration, all while engaging the producer and the end user. After all, these connections are what celebrating local is all about.
Visit the Hills of Headwaters website for more information. Register by February 28 to be a part of the event.
[1] Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association