Maple syrup, handmade gifts and food — despite the chilly weather, families, locals and college students showed up for The Eastern Connecticut Maple Festival on March 29 and 30. Over 100 vendors packed the parking lot of E.O. Smith High School for the ninth annual Maple Festival.
The Eastern Connecticut Maple Festival debuted at its new location in Mansfield, Conn. over the weekend, as it was previously held in Hebron, Conn. Local and small businesses presenting a handful of goods, such as jewelry, crochet items, artwork and clothing could be found at the festival. Other vendors and food trucks sold their famous items, with most offering specials that incorporated maple into snacks or meals. All-natural maple syrup was also sold.
Families and friends flocked to the picnic tables outside, enjoying their maple treats with smiling faces. The vendors and sellers seemed to have a good time as well, with many showing off their welcoming attitudes.
“I think it is really nice that independent artists are getting to showcase their work,” Laura Solomon, a fourth-semester education major at the University of Connecticut, said.
Artists sold paintings and crafts, and one even offered caricature drawings on the spot.
Vintage lovers flocked to booths selling secondhand items, with used rock and blues vinyls on display.
Shopping and eating were not the only things to do at the Maple Festival, however. For those with kids, there were plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained. Traditional fair games, with giant stuffed prizes offered to winners were part of the festival lineup. Inflatable bounce houses were filled with laughing children. Face paint and henna were also available.
“With these types of things, I just love the sense of community. Like walking around, everyone kind of appreciating art and culture,” Laura Seifert, a recent graduate from UConn, said.
There was truly something for everyone at the festival.
One station allowed people to decorate their own cookies — maple-flavored, of course. Gluten-free options were also available for decoration and sale. Many of the food venues at the festival catered to various dietary restrictions and needs.
Live music filled the atmosphere. Bands and performers switched throughout the days, playing a mix of popular rock and acoustic hits. The music added a sense of warmth to an otherwise cold weekend.
Locals presented opportunities to get involved with activities in the area, with representatives from towns such as Tolland.
Through the weekend, people came and went, visiting the festival even if they had no particular plans to do so. Some students stumbled upon the event on their way downtown.
“I love when they have little things like this here, or in Storrs Center. It just is nice to stop by like when they have stuff like this. I just think it’s cool, I definitely enjoy it and appreciate having it,” Solomon said.
Maple sugaring demonstrations, cooking with the ingredient and presentations on the history of maple syrup also took place at different points during the two days.
The Eastern Connecticut Maple Festival was sponsored by The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce, who have been holding this event since 2016. The festival was free to all visitors.
“Having this available for students, people can go with their friends and hang out, and I think that is a really good opportunity. I think it brings community together and it connects the college students with the locals that are actually here,” Briana Ashton, a sixth-semester speech, language and hearing sciences major at UConn, said.