The Rural Voice, 2000-04, Page 46prepared and buy the syrup but more
than 1800 people turned up to make
it a success. Besides the pancakes
and maple syrup, there was also a
handmade quilt to be raffled and
home baking to be bought.
The goal of the maple syrup
festival was realized — by year-end
the arena had a new roof.
But the festival had been such a
success it seemed a shame not to
continue and so in 1969 there were
bigger and better plans underway. A
mini -restaurant was introduced and
the pancake house operated in the
community centre for two weeks
prior to Festival day. Oil replaced
wood to fuel the evaporators.
By 1976 profits from the festival
had paid for a new addition to the
community centre with dressing -
rooms, a utility room and an artificial
ice plant. Nearby there were lights
for.the ball diamond and improved
picnic facilities.
But the biggest challenge was
yet to come. In 1976 the
Belmore arena, like many
small town arenas, was declared
unsafe after amendments to the
building code. The arena had to be
closed for safety reasons. Could this
little community continue to operate
its own arena when an expensive new
building had to be built?
The arena was allowed to stay
open long enough for the 1977 Maple
Syrup Festival in April but within
days demolition began. By the time
the next Festival rolled around,
visitors were able to enjoy the new
arena. In the intervening year
thousands of hours of volunteer time
had been logged tearing down the old
building, preparing the materials for
an auction and helping build the new
structure.
The new building allowed more
room for diners and volunteers and
room for a craft show as well.
Today the volunteers no longer
gather the sap to make the syrup.
Instead, says Dixon, Festival
organizers buy the syrup from select
local producers.
The Maple Syrup Festival
continues to supply money to help
the community centre function but
the community spirit goes further. To
keep costs down the entire complex
is run with volunteer labour. The
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