2022 Marathon Maple Fest

After two years of pandemic setbacks and hurdles, the 2022 Marathon Maple Festival propelled through the many hitches and stumbling blocks, and made the festival happen with a massive and favorable reception. Saturday’s weather was remarkable and a record number of folks showed up to participate in the event. Attendees enjoyed watching the pancake eating contest, the many contests, the incredible anticipation and enjoyment of the pancake breakfast, as well as a host of other contests and contributions from many class groups and community members. And, of course, vendors from areas of craftsmanship set up in the school gym, the Civic Center, and school rooms to display their wares and contribute to the festival.

Each one of the high school class men participated in the festival, providing different foods and items for sale, to bring income to their class. The Senior Class mingled among the buildings selling chicken speedie subs, which were very tasty. The Junior Class circulated among the vendors and buildings offering their apple dumplings, which were deliciously warm and enjoyable, especially with the scoop of vanilla ice cream added to the dish.

And, of course, the Sugar Shack was a big hit with the event with maple syrup being offered from local businesses, and a display of maple syrup boiling and processing. Speaking with Silas Cooper from Cooper Hill Maple was very educating as to the process, as well as visiting with Floyd and Natalie from Millrace Maple Products. Both merchants process thousands of gallons of sap, boiling and processing into the delicious maple syrup we all enjoy every morning for breakfast.

One of the enjoyable events at the festival was the airboat rides. Two of the riders on the airboat ride were Jesse Keener and his girlfriend, Renee. Saturday’s weather was a bit brisk, but the two enjoyed the exhilarating ride down the Tioughnioga River, not really paying much attention to the cold wind. Sadly, Jesse lost his new baseball cap to the wind in the ride, but said that it was worth the trip.

Everyone we spoke with was very upbeat and happy to have the Marathon Maple Festival back and are looking forward to many more years of enjoyment and family participation in a long established festival that has brought so much awareness to this small community with a big heart.