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HB NEWS WORTH THE WAIT: FIRST IN-PERSON ELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL SINCE 2019 DRAWS TENS OF THOUSANDS ‘WE'RE DEFINITELY PUSHING THE LIMITS THAT THIS TOWN CAN HOLD BRENT DAVIS bdavis@therecord.com It was worth the wait. After ree-year pan- demic- nated hiatus, a live and in-person version of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival returned in force on Saturday, April 1. Back were the crowds filling the town's down- town core, the vendors sell- ing their wares, the street performers, pancake flip- pers, syrup pourers ... all returned. nate so heartwarming," said festival vice-chair Quentin Mayer. "It's the start of the springtime fes- tival sea: Things were looking a bit dicey when crews were busy setting things up in the early morning hours in a thunderstorm and pour- "It was mayhem," Mayer said. But Mother Nature co- operated once it was time to open to the public at 7 a.m., with clear blue skies welcoming morning visi- tors. Forecast rain didn't return until the afternoon. And by noon, Mayer and fellow festival volunteers knew they were well on their way to near-record at- tendance. "When you're down- town and your cell recep- tion dies, that's when you know," he said, predicting they'll have seen around 70,000 to 75,000 visitors by the time day was ‘ough. Festival crowds have topped out at about 80,000 people in the past. To put that in perspective, that's roughly eight times the town's population. "We're definitely push- ing the limits that this town can hold," Mayer said. 529 in 2000 earn: Saturday, April 22, 2023 | tour times: 9 - 11:30 am. Waste Management Operations Centre: 1516 Glasgow Street, Kitchener Celebrate Earth Day with a free, one-hour guided bus tour of the Waterloo Waste Management site. cord as the World's Largest Single Day Maple Syrup Festival, and that atten- dance figure has been sur- passed several times since. ‘he 59th edition of the popular event marks a comeback, after the 2020 event was cancelled with just days to go before show- time. Organizers held on- line versions in 2021 and 20: But that just doesn't compare with the sights, sounds and, oh yes, the smells, of the real thing. Clutching a souvenir — a freshly- eh piece of wood won throt a log-sawing challenge —_— Been ver: old orba mownced it ithis favourite ae. tivity at the festival. "This is the only thing I've done," the Guelph youngster added, his festi- val visit just begin "I remember Tots of ‘peo- lei in 2019," said his father, Diogo. "I don't remember if it was this many.” Further Street, Josh the was ‘ak. ing a brief break with his family, including children Jasper, 4, Chloe, 7, and So- phie, 9. “We're going venue to venue, a takingin the en- "the Cam- bridget nad said. Sophie decided her fa- vourite thing so far was meeting an an alpaca at the while Chloe's vote went to a pretzel she'd “My worst favourite thing was walking," she ted. Proceeds from the festi- profit organizations. The event has generated about $1.7 million for com- munity groups since its in- ception; traditionally, 40 per cent of the profits go to Elmira District Communi- Above: ds fill Elmira’ ly ‘Aepsiny | ef2juouyg oopeyena | ¢ Brent Davis photos/Waterloo Region Record downte during tl ir Maple Syrup Festival on Saturday. Below: Pedro Borba, 7, of Guelph is a study in concentration during a log-sawing ty Living, with the remain- der going to a host of wor- thy causes serving Elmira, Woolwich Township and Waterloo Region, the festi- vals website says. nding at the head- challenge at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival on Saturday. quarters hut, Mayer looked up a packed Arthur Street and smiled. "Coming out of COVID, it's really a special treat," he said. "We're really pleased.” it the time of boo Reservations required. Call 519-575-4400 (deaf and hard of hearing 519-575-4608). Ple € let us kn ticipate. Region of Waterloo... eo 'e[D]UOIYDOOLETEM