As Port Elgin prepares to launch the first maple syrup festival in the community, the Saugeen Valley Conservation Foundation now says it does hope to bring back the Saugeen Bluffs Maple Syrup Festival in the future.
Foundation Chair Catherine Dickison says they made the difficult decision to defer the festival for 2018, but will continue to evaluate the feasibility of hosting the event.
Dickison says increased competition, and poor weather combined over the past few years to put the festival in the red.
“We felt perhaps we would take a break for a year and see if things change,” says Dickison. “We’re not a group that gives up easily and we will continue to evaluate the feasibility of hosting a maple syrup event.”
In the meantime, the foundation's popular Christmas in the Country at Sulphur Spring Conservation will be held from November 24-26.
“As a foundation, we’ve also discussed the possibility of ‘looking outside the box’ and seeking out other ideas and new venues! Perhaps it’s time for something different. We’re trying to keep our options open at every level," says Dickison.
The foundation also hosts a memorial grove tree program, and a celebration forest, where trees are planted in honour of a loved one's memory, or special event.
The money raised helps support Saugeen conservation. The Port Elgin Festival will fill the void but will not raise money for the SCVA foundation.