Trip Part One - The Maple Festival

Every family has a place that is deeply rooted in their family traditions.  The Marathon Maple Festival is ours.  The Maple Festival is a tradition in my small home town and though it isn't a huge, high class event, it is special to all of us who grew up there.  We always kick off the morning early with the all you can eat pancake breakfast with REAL maple syrup.

I usually try to head over to the library afterwards to hit their book sale early.  Dad usually likes to watch the pancake eating contest and Jack had a blast at the discovery center while Nana enjoyed Emma.

We also have to check out the high school and it always brings back memories.  The art class students always paint a ceiling tile, so the ceiling is an amazing quilt of history.  The tile with the little girl was painted by my sister and right next to it is the hands picture painted by my brother.

We take time wantdering around the town, sampling all the delicious food (besides the pancake breakfast there's maple cotton candy, maple cream, maple sundeas, maple lollipops, maple bbq beef and many non-maple treats like apple dumplings, fried dough, toasted nuts, and spedies), checking out the craft booths, and enjoying all the sights.  This is a one room school house that is open for tours during the Festival.  Our family donated a clock that hangs in it so we always have to visit.

It is not a show stopping event but to me it is a special famly tradition that I hope to pass along to my children and enjoy with my family for years to come.  Plus, you can never get enough real maple syrup!