One-Tank Trip for
March 19/16
(c) By Jim Fox
Stratford is
embracing spring in a sweet and sticky way as well as with a somewhat
boisterous welcome by its swan ambassadors.
Happening now is a sweet tasting tour along the Maple Trail this month
and next while the highlight of welcoming spring is the annual Swan Parade
Weekend on April 2 and 3.
 |
| Stand back as Stratford’s famous white mute swans head to the Avon River. |
The Stratford Tourism Alliance presents its Maple Trail Adventure
highlighting Canada’s delicious and iconic maple syrup that is “palpable as the
first sign of spring,” said Cathy Rehberg, marketing manager.
“Culinary artisans
invite you to sample their delicious maple creations along our self-guided
trail in Stratford’s downtown heritage district and at the source, McCully’s
Hill Farm (in St. Marys),” she added.
 |
| Sweet! Making maple fudge in a copper kettle at Rheo Thompson Candies. |
This taste of
spring offers choices such as aged maple balsamic vinegar; a maple sundae; creamy
fudge; maple creams wrapped in chocolate; maple cupcakes; maple frozen yogurt;
maple tea and coffee; and traditional hand-poured maple sugar candy.
McCully’s Farm has
been a fixture in the Perth County countryside for some 160 years and is well
known for maple syrup made from the sap of its trees.
 |
| A wide selection of maple syrup products and a pancake brunch can be found at McCully’s Hill Farm. |
Visitors will learn
all about the process from collecting sap to going inside the “sugar shack” where
it is made into maple syrup in a wood-fired evaporator.
Maple Trail
participants will receive a bottle of syrup during the farm’s Maple Syrup
Festival, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this month (except
Easter Sunday but open Good Friday) and throughout April.
Featured is a pancake
brunch, wagon ride tours of the sugar bush and assortment of maple products in
the store.
The trail invites visitors
to explore the many tastes of maple syrup presented in different ways, from “yummy
desserts to pampering experiences.”
 |
| Cake artist Kandy Cosstick creates maple cupcakes along the Stratford Maple Trail. |
Some of the “unexpected
surprises” are opportunities to relax with maple including an essential oil
maple soap, maple foot soak while sipping maple tea and nibbling on maple cookies
and a fine restaurant stop for a special maple dessert, Rehberg said.
It’s a great way to
“taste the first maple syrup of the season drizzled over ice cream, dripping
from a stack of pancakes or made into delicious tasty treats,” she added.
Participating businesses
are Buzz Stop; Chocolate Barr’s Candies; Dee Image Co.; Distinctly Tea; Jenn &
Larry’s Brittle ’n Shakes & Ice Cream Cakes; Kandy Cakes; Kiwi Kraze;
McCully’s Hill Farm; Olive Your Favourites; Revival House; Rheo Thompson
Candies; The Spa Near the Tracks; and Treasures.
 |
| A delicious selection of maple creams is available at Chocolate Barr’s Candies. |
The trail pass costs $25 plus tax and includes
six vouchers that can be exchanged for maple tastes from among the 13
businesses. visitstratford.ca/mapletrail;
1-800-561-7926.
Honking good time
The curtain rises
in the Festival City for its feisty feathered ambassadors parading to the Avon
River led by the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums on April 3 at 2 p.m.
The 28 white mute
swans will do their noisy waddle walk with great pomp and ceremony.
They are leaving their
winter quarters at the William Allman Memorial Arena en route to the river to
establish their nesting areas and mating grounds.
The crowd gets in
on the action, too, with many wearing swan hats and encouraging them on.
 |
| Honking swans make their way to the Avon River accompanied by the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums. |
It’s part of the
free Swan Parade Celebration from noon to 3 p.m. along Lakeside Drive (between
Waterloo Street and Morenz Drive).
Stratford’s history
with swans dates back to 1918 when the first gift of the birds was received,
Rehberg said.
On the weekend,
there are decorated topiary swans dotting the downtown streetscape, live
entertainment and family activities.
This includes horse-drawn
carriage tours, guided swan walks, swan-inspired children’s book readings and
photos with the swan mascot.
Other events
on Sunday are an outdoor main stage with the Amazing Ben Burland Comedy and
Juggling Act, Fast Eddy’s Yo-Yo Spectacular and Festival City Twirlers.
SpringWorks
presents a preview of the May puppet festival with an interactive children’s play
zone at the Kiwanis Community Centre.
There’s also Bogle
the Clown, a multi-chamber castle jumper, community mural, swan hats and crafts
for children, and the Swan Express Train.
Food trucks will
offer tasty treats and there will be a charity barbecue. visitstratford.ca/swans
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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