March means maple sugaring season, and the return of the Genesee Country Village & Museum's sweetest event - the annual Maple Sugar Festival! Celebrated over two weekends - this year: March 19th & 20th; and March 26th & 27th - there's fun for the whole family! From the ever-popular pancake breakfast (tickets sold separately); to sap collecting on the Maple History Trail; syrup making at the Sugarhouse; Haudenosaunee storytelling (with ASL interpretation on select dates); and historical trades & cooking demonstrations throughout the Historic Village - both new and favorite traditions abound.
In fact, my first memories of the event were from a stroller...which gives you an idea of just how long I've been attending the festival! Since 2014, however, I've been behind-the-scenes, pouring beverages and plating food as part of the historic dining team. Fast forward to this year, 2022, I'm now running the Hosmer's Inn Luncheon, and overseeing the amazing historic dining team (seriously grateful for the entire team who make the history happen!). Some of the members were working today, and are picture below as they take a break to enjoy their lunch:
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Hosmer's Inn Luncheon at the Maple Sugar Festival
Historic Dining team members sitting down to enjoy lunch themselves! |
Maple Sugar Fest also happens to be personally significant as it marks my 1-year workiversary in my current role as Manager of Community Lifeways, and 8 years
(9 museum seasons) with GCV&M. (If you're interested in reading more about what I do, in addition to overseeing the Historic Dining programs, find all the details in this blogpost:
Going, Going, Gone: A Recap of Season #8!)
Back to the Hosmer's Inn Luncheon...have you ever wanted to dine in a historic inn? During each day of the Maple Festival, we're serving a selection of savory, cold weather favorites from 11am-2pm, with dine-in and (limited) to-go options!
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| Murie carrying a tray into the front parlor. |
After you step into the cozy inn, which has been transformed to seat up to 45 guests at a time, our costumed servers are ready to take your order and serve up some lunch or midday beverages (which would pair perfectly with any of the sweet treats available from the Confectionery across the Village Square). Escape the cold (and rain or snow) and warm up by any of the four fireplaces we keep blazing - sit back, relax, and chat about your favorite activities so far!
Here's a look at your four dining room choices; and yes, you are more than welcome to seat yourselves, or our servers will be happy to guide:
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| Front parlor |
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| Private dining room |
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| Family dining room |
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| Tap room |
Which room is your favorite?
As for the menu options: enjoy a bowl of homemade chili with a generous slice of cornbread and butter, which is a new offering this year. Top a baked potato with sour cream, cheese, and maybe even chili, or keep it simple with salted butter. Hot beverage options include the historic American Heritage Chocolate, as well as modern hot chocolate, tea (regular and decaf), and coffee; ice cold bottled water is also available.
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Luncheon menu offers a selection of savory, cold weather favorites like homemade chili, cornbread, baked potatoes, and warm beverages, including the historic American Heritage chocolate drink.
Hosmer's Inn is open for dining each day of the festival, from 11am-2pm. |
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| Backroom Baked Potato Break! |
And finally, the obligatory OOTD (Outfit of the Day) picture for Maple Sugar Festival, Day One! Kelly & I both rocked our Maple browns! I'm literally SO obsessed with her new dress (which she made just in time for the event) - whereas I threw together some work clothes from my closet this morning:
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The obligatory OOTD (Outfit of the Day) picture for Maple Sugar Festival, Day One!
Kelly & I both rocked our Maple browns! |
There are three more dates to catch the event, so don't miss your chance to dine with us at Hosmer's Inn by
purchasing your tickets at:
Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast.
Hope to serve you then!  |
That's a wrap for Day One of the Maple Sugar Festival!
See you out there tomorrow and next weekend! |
