About Shires Maple Festival...

For 2009, the triumphs and travails of Vermont’s Winter, Spring and Summer are combining for the first time -- in Maplerama 2009 & The Shires Maple Festival as a special, two-day celebration of the bounty of our countryside.

Traditionally, Maplerama is a trade show for Vermont and regional maple syrup makers and maple product producers that moves to a different Vermont county each year. Maplerama 2009 is being held in Bennington July 24th – 26th under the sponsorship of the Bennington County Sugar Makers Association. Its venue is the former Fairdale Farms property now known as Colgate Park, located at 1545 West Road about two miles west of downtown Bennington on old Route 9.

In an addition to tradition, Colgate Park is introducing what is destined to become an annual happening: The Shires Maple Festival, intended not only to complement Maplerama 2009 but also to stand alone as a full, major weekend event in Southern Vermont. For two days - Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26th -The Shires Maple Festival is a celebration of not only the magic of maple but also of regional farming, fresh local produce, specialty foods, and fine, hand-crafted products.

The Festival will include:

 Farmers’ Market  · Specialty Vendors  ·  Pancake Breakfast Saturday & Sunday

Food Court with a variety of prepared dishes  ·  Live Music & Entertainment

Workshops & Maple Processing Demonstrations  ·  Children’s Activities & Wagon Ride

There will be opportunities to observe and learn about different aspects of maple sugaring and production. The trade show exhibitors will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. An extensive farmers’ market with an array of bounty from mid-summer’s harvest emphasizing organically grown produce will be on display. Artisan cheese makers, bread makers, and specialty product makers will be present with items to sample and purchase and some other surprises. The Shires Maple Festival will have its own bar with a signature Maple Beverage and fabulous food will be in abundance!

For more information, please contact Colgate Park at 802.447.3900, by e-mail to colgatepark@verizon.net or visit our web site at www.colgatepark.com