The irresistible aroma of maple syrup will fill the air once again this spring, signalling the return of a beloved tradition.
The 47th annual 麻豆精选 MapleFest will take place later this month, beginning on Thursday, April 24 in the evening before a full schedule of events on the weekend. Presented by the Centre Culturel Francophone de l'Okanagan, the festival will feature a variety of maple syrup-themed experiences and events, including a film screening, a festive family day filled with live music, performances, workshops and food trucks, and a special French-Canadian brunch.
A film will kick-start the festival on Thursday at 7 p.m., with a screening of Je m'appelle Humain, a personal look into the life and work of award-winning poet and Innu language translator Jos茅phine Bacon. Tickets are by donation.
The weekend of family-friendly fun with delicious food and lively entertainment begins on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stuart Park. The Family Day and Rustic Market will provide a wide variety of events and activities for the whole family throughout the day, including:
- Traditional maple taffy on snow
- Face painting and bouncy castles
- Circus workshops, dances and jugglers
- Locally-made handcrafted goods
- French-Canadian treats such as poutine, pea soup and maple cotton candy
- Live music by Josh & Bex, Jocelyn Pettit & Boris Favre, The Women of Turtle Island, and Bella Cat
Water Street from city hall to the 麻豆精选 Community Theatre will be closed to traffic for the first day of MapleFest. Admission is free.
The festival wraps up on Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Laurel Packinghouse for the traditional sugar shack brunch. The tasty French-Canadian delight will feature pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs, baked beans and many other maple-inspired dishes. Old Time Fiddlers will provide lively folk tunes to create a warm and welcoming environment for the whole family. Tickets are $20 or $25 and $10 for children under seven.
For tickets or more information, visit kelownamaplefest.com.
