Music and Maple Syrup in Verdun
Maple Bacon jam by Bonfire. Taste of Monkland. Photo Rachel Levine
Verdun continues to stay in the running of the coolest neighbourhood competition in the Sud Ouest districts by offering its eighth edition of the Maple Syrup Festival (La Cabane Panache et Bois Rond). For four days, maple syrup and music will be all over Wellington, along with the requisite lumberjack competitions.
Many worthy musicians are putting in an appearance during the day. You might want to catch Fred Fortin at 6:30 p.m. on March 22, Brown (with Snail Kid of Dead Obies along with Jam of K6A and the Auclair Ensemble, along with their dad) at 7:30 p.m. on March 23. Stick around KNLO at 9:30 p.m. On March 24, Mononc’ Serge will rock his classics at 5 p.m. and Keith Whiteduck can be seen on March 25th multiple times.
Among other things to check out are Louis MErcier’s storytelling, maple taffy on the snow, a Crown Royal tasting, axe throwing (maybe improved by the Crown Royal), a miniature farm, wood sculpting, and pitsawing, an ancestral logging technique. Yup, there’s plenty more.
As for food, maple and seasonal products are available at plenty of local restaurants that are offering specials at $2 and $4. You can check out a $2 pouding chomeur and a $4 maple-ham poutine at La Grande Maruise Express. Restaurant Wellington has pea soup for $2 and $4. Blackstrap BBQ is offering up maple smoked pulled pork at $2 and $4. Chez Robin Marché Local has maple glazed duck bonbon at $2 and a vegepate version at $4.
If you’d rather sip than nosh, Balconville has spiced hot chocolate with and without alcohol. Bar Palco has Palco hot wine and Saint James Tea Grog. There are plenty of others with drink specials too.
So whether it’s snowy or clear, cold or warm, make sure to get your bum out to Verdun to enjoy this annual festival where Canadians can be stereotypically Canadian.
Cabane Panache et Bois Rond takes place March 22-25. Hours and details can be found here. Admission and most events are free.
