- All events are held in the Community Centre with Free admission to the building
- Outdoor maple syrup demonstration
- All events are wheelchair accessible
- Courtesy vans are available
- Handicap parking and senior parking assistance is available, please pull up to the front of the community centre and speak with one of the parking attendants.
2024 Festival will held on
Thursday, April 11, 2024
and
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Pictures from Past Belmore Maple Syrup Festivals
- Craft Vendor information and inquires contact Karla Dickson at (519) 492-0357 or by email Karla.m.dickson@gmail.com
- For Bus/ Group Booking Contact Laura Harris at (519) 392 - 6779 email belmoremsf@gmail.com
Origin of the maple syrup festival
Belmore is a unique community! This "Hamlet with a Heart", has a population of about 100 people. It sits at the crossroads of four townships, Howick, Turnberry, Culross and Carrick.
Our first Festival was held in 1968 and this year we will host our 50th Maple Syrup Festival. Our community has continued to be unique and distinct, although not incorporated as a municipality.
When the existing Community Centre, built in 1951, needed a new roof, it was suggested that a Maple Syrup Festival be held to raise funds. This project was quickly underway and local families tapped roadside maples and hauled the sap to the Sugar Shanty in town. Two evaporators were set up, fueled by wood and managed by local volunteers, 725 gallons of maple syrup was produced.
That year the festival attracted about 1800 people. By the end of the year the new roof was in place. In 1976, our community Centre, like many others in the province, was declared unsafe.
Immediately after the Festival the community volunteers began to tear down the old centre to prepare the construction site. The 1977 Festival was held in the brand new Belmore Community Centre.
The tradition of volunteers of all ages and several faiths working together is still apparent today as we continue to enjoy a strong sense of community.
Did you Know?
The festival is run by approximately 300 community volunteers.
Approximately 6570 people were served in 2010 during Thursday and Saturday
The pancakes mix requires 600kg of flour, 80kg of sugar, 80kg of shortening and baking powder.
Approximately 200 dozen eggs and 700 litres of milk are used to mix the batter.
One 40 kg bag of flour makes about 15 batches of pancake mix.
People attend from all over Ontario but mainly the midwest and southwest.
The price for a meal in 1968 was $1.25.
The Price for a meal in 2010 was $9.