Northwest Magazines

Regional Travel Guide - British Columbia

a very Sweet Event

Nanaimo, British Columbia

It takes a lot of work behind the scenes in this mild
climate on the Strait of Georgia to organize an authentic "Sugar Shack Party" in the spirit of traditional celebrations normally held in the eastern provinces.

Vancouver Island's eigth annual Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d'Erable, February 20 through 24, 2008, is the result of much determination on the part of members of the Nanaimo Francophone Association. First, they procure harvested maple syrup (most of it from Quebec). Then they truck snow from the local mountains, process the syrup, and pour the warm mixture onto the snow for 8000 to 10,000 visitors to enjoy as they gather it onto a stick for tasting. Their newest combination of hot maple toffee wrapped around frozen cranberries has become the hit of the festival.

The first two days of the festival are dedicated to the local school children, the third day is for local businesses, and the major celebration on Saturday and Sunday is for visitors. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The event features traditional music, kids' activities, clowns, horse-drawn carriage rides, and foods, all unique to this ancient French Canadian celebration.

Nicole Langlois, executive director of the organizing Francophone Association, says "People who come spread the word, and it has grown each year. Performers come from all over the country to celebrate this joie de vivre. It's lots of fun." (250-729-2776; www.francophonenanaimo.org)

Northwest Travel Magazine January/February 2007