CHARDON, Ohio — The Geauga County Maple Festival is returning this weekend for its 91st edition.
The festival has been around since 1926 and typically takes place the last full weekend of April with a number of events, including a baking contest, bathtub races, tug of war, kids tractor pull, pancakes in the park, a lumberjack competition, the sap run in one and five mile versions and a parade.
Here's this year's festival schedule:
- Friday, April 22: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday, April 23: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Sunday, April 24: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The main stage takes place on the Chardon Square and will feature plenty of concessions and rides.
There will be a free shuttle to and from the event that runs to the Chardon Square from the Sheetz located at 435 Water Street. However, the shuttle will not be in service during the parade. The shuttle will operate on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Maple Festival was founded as a way to market Ohio syrup in competition with Vermont syrup. The first year more than 15,000 people were in attendance, blowing past festival expectations.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from Feb. 25, 2021, when the 2021 Geauga County Maple Festival was canceled due to COVID-19.