St. Joseph Island Maple Syrup Festival makes sweet return (14 photos)

More than 1,400 new and returning visitors made it to the 53rd Annual Maple Syrup Festival opening weekend after COVID put the event on hold for the last two years.

Sault residents Brittany Hillis and her four-year-old daughter Sophia Agawa were among those in attendance at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 in Richards Landing on St. Joseph Island on Saturday.

They were excited to go out for pancakes and maple syrup and, when asked what was the best thing about her visit to the island, Agawa said excitedly, “pancakes.”

Organizers reported Saturday’s attendance was on par with years past.

Opening day, Saturday, April 2, reported 731 patrons with a steady flow of people from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Sunday, a slightly quieter day, saw 674 patrons.

Lise Cullis and five members of her family from Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie met at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 in Richards Landing for their pancake breakfast on Saturday morning.

The Cullis family frequently visited St. Joseph Island and the Maple Syrup Festival and were glad to find out it was on this year.

This year saw some minor changes in its return to normal. One such change was patrons waiting outside to be seated rather than waiting in the hall.

Legion Public Relations spokesman, Comrade John Shannon, said the purpose of the outdoor wait was to allow the space needed for physical distancing, which is still recommended by Algoma Public Health even as public health safety measures have been largely lifted for indoor dining in most locations.

“We were (physical distancing) not only to follow Algoma Public Health guidelines but to respect (the) personal space of volunteers and visitors,” Shannon said. “There was some concern whether people would come out. People were anxious to get out and about.”

In years past, organizers used the lounge as an overflow are for patrons. This year they decided to open the lounge for the duration of the event.

The Maple Syrup Festival is one of three major fundraisers held annually for the legion. Friday Foods and Lobsterfest are also major fundraisers.

Funds raised help continue the branch’s mission to support its members and the community from Remembrance Day to elementary track and field.

Shannon has noticed a number of new residents on the island. He’s pleased that some have reached out and offered to volunteer their time.

“A key to the success of any event is the volunteers," he said. "Whether it's medical and non-medical volunteers during Algoma Public Health vaccination clinic or volunteers needed for a major event such as the Maple Syrup Festival.”

During the pandemic, access to the legion hall, with the exception of the kitchen, was reduced or restricted part of the time and it was closed for much of the time.

Meals on Wheels uses the kitchen at the hall three times a week and continued to do so throughout the pandemic.

In the past two years, the legion put on hold events such as musical concerts, diners club, Valentine’s Day, Halloween and New Year’s Eve dances. Its own membership meetings held in the hall were on hold.

As of April 1, the legion is fully open to book dates and its members hope to resume booking for special events such as weddings as soon as possible.

The Maple Syrup Festival ran last weekend and will end next weekend with the last day to get pancakes and maple syrup at the legion being Sunday, April 10.

Doors open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and the cost for the all-you-can-eat breakfast is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6.50 for children under 12.