ELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL 2009
ELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
Boiling Maple Syrup
The Travel Advice Pages article on the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival in Ontario, Canada, generated so much interest that we have decided to feature the event again in 2009.
As winter retreats and Spring arrives, temperatures rise and the good folk in Ontario head for their sugar bush to make maple syrup. Boiling of the sap is one of the oldest traditions and is part of Canada’s heritage, producing maple syrup which is famous worldwide.
In Elmira, the Festival and celebrations began in April 1965. After an initial attendance of 10,000 visitors in that year, it now attracts up to 100,000 from around the world and figures in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest amount of maple syrup consumed in one day. The festival promotes community spirit and the fantastic day of fun is supported by 2000+ volunteers.
Start your day with the famous Festival Pancakes made from a secret recipe, served in Wyatt Street. Help consume the 15000 pancakes and 725 litres of maple syrup served each year. After, or before this treat, compete in the Pancake Flipping Contest which was introduced in 1985. Try flipping your pancakes in a fun-filled relay race.
The Elmira Festival brings the farm into town for the kids in Old Mcdonalds Farm, just off Main Street, children can meet their furred, feathered and four-footed friends. With a hay maze and pony rides it is a child’s delight.
Collectors and Antique Dealers from across Ontario head for Elmira at Festival time. On the Friday evening, you can bring your own treasure from the attic for appraisal by experts. Test your knowledge with the “What-is-it” contest figuring out the use of old tools and implements.
Elmira is in the heart of quilt making territory. At the show, local quilters demonstrate this timeless art and a team will attempt to produce an entire quilt during the day of the Festival
Given the theme of the day a Sugarbush Tour is a must. Hop on a bus and see a working sugarbush operation. At the working farm site you will transfer to a haywagon for a close-up view and see how maple syrup is produced, from sap collection to evaporation and final processing. After the tour stay and sample the maple goodies.
After a strenuous day and if the Inner Man requires attention, visit Main Street. The street is closed to traffic and is lined with booths selling food, food products and arts and craft items. Maple candy, taffy, fudge, butter and pancakes will tempt you together with bacon sandwiches, sausages, turkey, souvlaki, piping hot apple fritters and jellies and jams.
Your final stop may well be the Toy Show and Sale. Adults and children will be fascinated by the collection of toys, old and new. As a souvenir of a memorable day you can take home one of the “Collectible Toy Banks” which is a limited edition on sale each year.
With its attractions and fun-filled activities for all ages, The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival ranks high in the list of popular Festivals in any year, so join in the fun on the 4th April 2009.
Collecting Sap
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL - WASHINGTON
THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL - WASHINGTON DC- 28 MARCH to 12 APRIL 2009
Washington in Bloom
With Spring on the horizon, the flowering of the cherry tree is one of nature’s most colourful spectacles. Although Cherry Blossom is perhaps more evocative of the Land of The Rising Sun, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC is well worth a visit.
The planting of cherry trees on this historic city site originated in 1912 with a gift from the people of Japan. With the support of the First Lady, Helen Herron Taft, a gift of 2000 cherry trees was donated by the City of Tokyo and arrived in Washington in January 1910. Unfortunately, the trees were diseased and had to be burnt. A second shipment of 3026 trees arrived in March 1912 and two were planted on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin by Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese Ambassador. Washington’s world famous Festival grew from this simple ceremony. The two original trees remain to this day.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is planned to coincide with the blooming of the trees. Peak bloom date is defined as the day in which 70% of the buds are open. The blooming period starts several days earlier and can last for 14 days depending on the weather. Naturally visitors try and plan their visit when the trees are in bloom. The various stages of the bloom are all wonderful so whenever you plan to visit you will be rewarded with something memorable on the Tidal Basin.
The Festival itself has an amazing variety of events too numerous to describe. This article attempts to give our readers a flavour of the festival period.
On Saturday, 4th April there are two great events. One is one of Washington’s most exciting traditions - the Festival Parade. The parade is a must for children of all ages and marches along historic Constitution Avenue from 10 am. It includes marching bands, dance and drumming from the US and Japan, Cherry Blossom Queens and a choir. Giant balloons, floats, vintage automobiles, clowns and mascots add to the spectacle.
On the same day, the Japan-America Society present the 49th Annual Sakura Matsuri or Street Festival. The Matsuri has 4 main areas. Traditional Japanese Arts and Crafts, Japanese culture including anime (animation) Manga (Comics) and J-Pop music. It features 15 Japanese and Asian restaurants, 2 Beer Gardens and a Sake tasting area. The Ginza Market offers traditional Japanese products for sale.
The culture vultures can join the Freedom Walk, a non-competitive event which honours the sacrifices and injustices suffered by American - Japanese citizens in WW2. The 43rd Smithsonian Kite Festival takes place in the Washington Memorial Grounds from 10 am on 28 March. There are daily performances on the Tidal Basin Stage. The National Building Museum hosts a family day with lots of hands-on fun, exploring Japanese art. Again, just a few of the many attractions.
For the Foodies, enjoy an evening with sushi and sake on 1st April at the National Geographic Museum. Also on the 1st April, Madame Tussauds is transformed into a Cherry Blossom Wonderland for the Washington Wine Academy’s Soiree and Reception, held in Waterfront Park. At the reception and as a prelude to fireworks, enjoy military and local music together with family related activities and of course food.
For the children and the more active members of the family, celebrate the arrival of Spring with a 2-hour bike ride around the Nation’s Capital. Relax on a tour boat viewing the blossoms and monuments on a 90 minute tour from the Washington Marina. Choose between the morning Blossom Secrets Stroll or the more romantic Lantern Walks with a National Parks Ranger, for an evening walk amongst the cherry trees. How about English Tea aboard a yacht as you cruise among the blossoms. Still on the water, board the Spirit of Washington for an evening with a grand buffet, live music and views of the Festival Firework displays.
There is no doubt that this, the world’s largest National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is an absolute extravaganza with varied events for all ages, set against a background of the beautiful flowering cherry trees. Certainly a must for a Spring break.
TIPS FOR SAFER AND MORE COMFORTABLE TRAVEL
Most people do not have problems when traveling by air. In this article, Travel Advice Pages offers the following tips to help you stay healthy and comfortable when traveling to other countries.
Before you travel.
Plan ahead and see your doctor to check any vaccinations you may require. Remember that certain vaccines require six weeks to reach full protection. To avoid potential problems on a long trip, a medical and dental check up is a good idea.
Check the small print on your health insurance policy. Apart from possible treatment fees, medical evacuation is a very expensive item. EU citizens should obtain the required documentation to obtain free emergency aid within the EU Zone.
Pack sufficient medication in your carry-on luggage for the entire trip (plus a contingency in case your return is delayed) Include the names and dosages of the medication and a contact telephone number for your home doctor.If you suffer from conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy, carry some form of notification and identification card.
In the air
Even the most healthy can suffer on long flights with blood clots in the lower legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Try to walk periodically in the aircraft unless advised not to by the crew. Exercise your calf muscles and joints while sitting and possibly wear suitable stockings which are now obtainable at most airport shops. The air in aircraft is dry, so stick to non-alcoholic, decaffeinated beverages and water to avoid dehydration.
Remember you should not be flying within 12-24 hours after scuba or other forms of diving.
At your destination
Depending on your destination jet lag may cause problems. In my personal experience there was no complete cure for this condition. However, here are some suggestions:
Get plenty of sleep prior to travel
Avoid an excess of alcohol
Avoid over-eating
Exercise as much as possible
Do not use sleeping tablets more than a few days
Adjust to the new time zone by observing local meal and sleeping times
If necessary, your doctor can prescribe anti malaria tablets for certain countries.
Particularly in Africa, avoid swimming in freshwater streams and lakes. Bilharzia is not a pleasant disease
Finally, the most common holiday complaint is the dreaded travelers diarrhea. Often referred to as Singapore Screamers, Delhi Belly, Tunisian Trots and so on.
Unless advised otherwise, do not drink or brush your teeth in tap water
Do not drink bottled water if the seal on the bottle is broken
Do not have ice in drinks unless you are sure it was made from purified water
Avoid un-pasteurised milk or dairy products
Only eat fruit and vegetables if they can be peeled
Avoid lettuce or other leafy raw vegetables
Do not eat raw or under cooked meat or fish
Do not eat from street vendors.
The good news is that most attacks will stop after 4-5 days even without treatment. Drink plenty of clear liquids to replace lost fluids. A doctor can prescribe suitable medication.
Simple and sensible precautions will ensure you have an enjoyable holiday without any of the above problems. Travel Advice Pages wishes you Bon Voyage.
THE WISCONSIN CRANBERRY FESTIVAL 2009
Although it is a little early in the year to tell you about the Fall Festival Season we are already receiving enquiries at Travel Advice Pages. So we felt it appropriate to feature one of the world’s largest Harvest Festivals - The Wisconsin Cranberry Festival, held in Warren, Wisconsin. (50 miles northeast of La Crosse)
In 2008, with 110,000 visitors, Warren won “The People’s Award for the Best Wisconsin Town Weekend Festival.” Wisconsin is the largest producer of cranberries in the USA.
Cranberries are grown in wet and marshy areas in wide ditches known as “Bogs.” Banks around the beds allow the Bogs to be filled with water with the berries being harvested (skimmed) from the surface.
With so much to offer for all the family we can only give you a taste of the many attractions.
On Friday, 25th September, Wisconsin’s Biggest Marching Band opens the Parade. Each year people show their creativity and skill in the various competitions. These include, the Biggest Berry Contest, a Flower Show, a Quilt and Needlework Competition and one for the Photography Buffs. The local Lion’s Club provides lunchtime spaghetti if hunger strikes.
A must on Saturday, 26th September is a tour by bus of the Cranberry Marshes. Learn the history, see the techniques of the unique growing system and purchase your fresh cranberries. At 5pm you can refresh the inner man at the Lion’s Club Steak Fry.
On Sunday, 27 September the highlight is the Grand Parade, again with the Wisconsin Marching Band with such characters as Hillibilly Bob in his 1929 Ford. Be prepared to do some walking! The booths have a total frontage of 3 miles. The Farm Market has over 100 vendors selling fall produce from pumpkins to Amish noodles. The Antique and Flea Market has surely a treasure among its 350 booths. Early Christmas shopping is possible with 850 stalls at the Arts and Craft Show.
Food figures largely and there are fabulous “CrantasticEats.” Start your day with pancakes topped with cranberry syrup. Try “Joanie’s” famous dinner plate sized cinnamon rolls and cranberry cream puffs. During the day you can munch your way through buffalo burgers, corn dogs, pizza, seafood and French, Bosnian or Mediterranean dishes. Do not forget the Cranfest favourite - Indian Fry Bread with all the toppings. There are 4 food courts to eat your way through.
At the end of the day have a cool drink at The Fire Station and stay for dinner at The Log Building.
Enjoy an interesting and fun weekend with all the family at The Wisconsin Cranberry Festival this September 25th - 27th, 2009.
WE’RE BACK ONLINE
Hi to everyone who comes to visit our site. Also a special thank you to those of you who continue to visit regularly even though there have been no new posts since October.
Roy and I were on a touring holiday in Ireland looking for new material to write about when unfortunately we were involved in separate accidents about two weeks apart. We have both been unable to work since then. We are just about ready to carry on and articles should start appearing more regularly in the near future.
Thank you for all your enquiries and emails, we have tried to answer you with a personal email or here on the site . If any of you have places or events you would especially like to read about do let us know and we will do our best to help. Remember also we are happy to post your holiday reviews, pics or videos for other readers to see and enjoy.
Glad to be back,
Sunny and Roy
