Spring arrived just in time to celebrate the maple season. The 2018 Muskoka Maple Festival drew thousands of people to downtown Huntsville to sample sweet treats and maple-inspired cuisine, listen to some local tunes, and be entertained by mind-bending magic and fire-breathing fun. Were you there?
Scarlett Groomes was transformed into a unicorn by Painted Kids face painting
Wildlife caller Stephen Morrin was a popular stop for kids and adults alike. He reproduced everything from loon calls to the growl of an angry bear.
They make lumberjacks really tall in Muskoka – nine feet tall!
Local artist Gerry Lantaigne invited festival goers to add a stroke or two to his original painting, The Sugar Shack. He usually paints Group of Seven reproductions at events like these for later inclusion in the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery, and enjoyed the creative freedom of painting his own vision this time. This painting will hang on the future Chamber of Commerce building.
Magician Lukas Stark gets some help from Justin for a card trick.
Helena Renwick (left) and Cheryl Stamper show off samples of sap buckets painted for the occasion.
Wyatt Hill (right) shows off his new smile with his aunt Amanda Hill
Scott Doughty (left) and Jack van Mil from Hidden Valley Resort served up BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with white cheddar and apple slaw. Half of the proceeds went to the Kelly Shires Foundation.
Scott Cameron (right) and Rick Keevil (in back, stoking the fire) explained how sap is harvested and boiled down to make maple syrup.
The Funky Fisher Brothers provided entertainment for the pancake breakfast and the beer garden.
Elyse Jarvis adds some maple syrup to hot-off-the-griddle pancakes
(From left) Jackie Lovegrove, Brian Haywood and Kelly Haywood were happy to see the sunshine today
Audlee Tredgett (left) stopped in to check on the sausages being cooked by Major Darren Wiseman of the Salvation Army.
Oliver (left) and Miles Fisher relax in the concrete loungers created by D2B2
The cast of Oliver! surprised festival goers with an outdoor number from the show, on this weekend at the Algonquin Theatre.
im Burr, The Circus Lumberjack, juggles fire, axes and chainsaws.
Sophie Chodor, 6, gives a thumbs-up for Marty the Moose
Maple taffy was just one of the sweet treats served up at the Muskoka Maple Festival
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It was awesome. I loved looking and buying from the centers. The entertainment was great. Loved the getting free from the straight jacket and chains and the chainsaw juggling. It was nice to see it crowded and well attended.
My only concern was the large number of dogs present. I tripped over one and one lifted his leg and peed on my bag holding my purchased baked goods. I love dogs and have had several through the years. I have never even thought of subjecting my dog to the crowds. All a dog sees through the crowded streets are little kids’ faces which is a danger no matter how behaved your dog is and has never bitten anyone. But if your dog was stepped on the first instinct is to bite. I’m not saying they will all bite. I’m saying there is a risk there. I always take a glance behind me checking that I don’t step out in front of anyone but I don’t scan the ground. I tripped over a dog and luckily was not hurt but it could have happened to someone more elderly with devastating consequences. For these crowded people events I think dogs should be banned from coming. There is risk to people and to dog and the dog certainly does not benefit from it. That’s my opinion. I probably will not be attending any more of these town events which I’m sure is no loss to anyone but me. I don’t mind navigating people, kids, and carriages but tired of waiting behind or dodging animals. Most of the dogs were very well behaved not so much can be said for some dog owners. Overall a great event and I know a great deal of work was put in to this event and I thank you and applaud you.