FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FESTIVAL
When is the festival?
The festival is always the last weekend in February and the first weekend in March. Please check the website for specific dates since we sometimes change the dates if the last full weekend in February falls so early that the weather is likely to be bad. The 2020 Fextival will be held on February 29th and March 1st, and March 7th and 8th.
Why do you have the festival at this time of year?
Many people ask us this since the weather is normally cold during the festival. We hold the festival at this time because this is when the sap is most likely to be flowing and we are likely to be making syrup. The festival centers around you experiencing an operating maple sugar camp, so at this time of year you can see the process and buy freshly made syrup
Is there a fee to park or get into the festival?
There is NO parking fee or entry fee for the festival
When is the best time to come to the festival?
The busiest times of the day are from 10am-2pm and nice weather will draw a very large crowd. Come early to get the size and grade of syrup you prefer. We no longer take pre-orders so please arrange to arrive early enough to get your favorite. Call ahead for availability of grades.
What activities do we have each year?
Food served all day, free tours of our syrup making, demonstrations of Woodland Indian and pioneer syrup making methods, children’s activity building, children’s games, tomahawk throwing, crosscut saw activity, old time merry-go-round, Jacobs' Ladder, straw maze, craft vendors, live music, and Christian worship service on Sunday morning.
How much time should I allow to enjoy the festival?
Allow at least 4 – 6 hours – if you bring your family with children plan to stay all day as there is plenty to keep you busy.
How should I dress?
Dress warm and wear layers in case it warms up during the day. Make sure to wear a hat and gloves. Wear sturdy boots as it is almost always muddy and you will need to do some walking.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed on the farm but you must keep them on a leash. We have dogs of our own and our neighbor’s dogs are drawn by the activity so be aware that these dogs feel this is “their farm.”
Is the festival wheelchair and stroller friendly?
The festival weekends are known for snow, ice and mud – which can be challenging for strollers and wheelchairs. The festival activities are held in field areas and there are no paved trails. Straw is put down to minimize mud but these paths are still difficult to navigate. Strollers with large bicycle wheels and wagons have the easiest time; wheelchairs are rather difficult to push through the fields.
Do you have handicapped parking spaces?
We do have handicapped parking close to the sugarhouse where the syrup is made and the dining room is located. Show the parking attendants your handicapped parking permit and they will direct you to the handicapped parking area.
What kind of restroom facilities do you have?
We have no permanent outdoor restrooms. We have portapots and handwashing stations available for your convenience. Near The Treehouse (kids activity building) we also have a small building for changing diapers.
How far do I have to walk from the parking area to the festival grounds?
The maximum walk would be a little over 5 minutes. We also have shuttles you can ride from the parking area to the grounds and back
How far do I have to walk to go on a tour?
The walk to take the tour of our sap collection area is about 3 minutes on totally flat ground. The guided or self guided tour of the sugarhouse is located right on the festival grounds
What if I lose something at the festival?
Lost items are turned in at the Info Booth. If you lose something during the festival ask at the booth. If you realize you have lost something after you leave, give us a call and we will look to see if it has been turned in.
Is there a first aid area?
There is a first aid kit at the Info Booth.
Which activities are free?
Parking and festival entry; LM Sugarbush tours, historical syrup making demonstrations, children’s activity building entry; crosscut saw activity; branding iron activity
Which activities have a charge?
Any purchases; small fee for the following: candle dipping in the children’s activity building; straw maze; merry-go-round; Jacob's Ladder, face painting, children's games.
Are there any age restrictions on any of the children’s activities?
There are no age restrictions – parents are expected to decide this and supervise their children.
Where can I change my baby’s diaper?
There is a small booth next to the portapots at the west end of the sugarhouse for changing diapers.
Do you take debit/credit cards?
Yes. The Sugarstore and farm restaurant take cards, cash, and personal checks. Most craft vendors are cash only.
Is there an ATM??
No, since this is our family farm and home we are not equipped with an ATM
How can we find out what musicians will perform at the festival?
The music schedule is posted on our website on the MUSIC SCHEDULE page www.LMSugarbush.com and we pass out a schedule at the Info Booth when you enter the festival grounds
DINING ROOM
Do you have diabetic, vegetarian or vegan food?
We don’t serve any diabetic food. The lowest carb breakfast meal would be our pancakes with syrup only, no fruit or ice cream toppings. The dinner meals with the meat would be permissible if you minimize consumption of the slaw, beans and roll, and drink water. The pancakes and waffles with any toppings are vegetarian but not vegan since the pancakes and waffles contain milk and eggs. The baked beans we use are flavored with animal fat by the manufacturer.
Where can we sit to eat?
There are tables and benches or chairs in 3 areas of the sugarhouse and several picnic tables outdoors. On warm days many people chose to sit on the ground on the hillside above the sugarhouse or by the creek.
Who cooks and serves the food?
Several church groups get together to clean and prepare the kitchen, prepare and serve the food each year. The profits go to the groups for youth ministries. Profits have been used for youth group mission trips overseas, faith-building retreats for adults locally, women’s ministries and more.
Does the dining room take credit cards?
Yes, you can pay for your food with a credit card. We also accept cash and personal checks.
STORE
Do you run out of syrup during the festival?
We can only make as much syrup as the amount of sap that flows from the trees so we sometimes run out of certain grades. This varies from year to year. Come early on the first Saturday if you want a particular grade or a large quantity.
Are your syrup jugs BPA free?
We checked with our jug manufacturer and the jugs are BPA free.
Do you have sugar-free syrup?
We do not have sugar-free syrup. Pure maple syrup has only the natural sugar from the maple tree and is low glycemic but it is still high in carbohydrates and must be used in moderation by diabetics.