“Let’s take a trip to Highland County” Part 2

By K. Ross

Due to the overwhelming response to last week’s blog, I’ve decided to add a part 2! I was afraid that that many might have missed out Highland County Maple Festival last weekend, but like this blog…it’s going on again this weekend too! For those of you that made it last weekend, what did you think? The weather could not have been more perfect for the festival. Unfortunately, this weekend they are calling for rain.☹ But don’t let this stop you! There are so many things to do inside that will keep you dry! Most of the vendors are set up inside the school, so you’ll need your umbrella or rain jacket for a little bit, but only to walk to school grounds or to the other local shops that participate in the festival.

I do want to mention one location you will need your umbrella for…it’s a visit to Puffenbarger’s Sugar Orchard. This is one of those sugar camps I told you about in last week’s blog. This family has been in the “sugar” business for over a hundred years and once you taste their yummy syrup, you’ll understand why! When you visit their sugar camp, you’ll the see the processing of sugar water by using a vacuum gathering system, reverse osmosis machine and an oil-fired evaporator. Very cool! While watching this process, they will share with how it starts to how it’s put in those cute maple syrup jugs. A little “sugar” history lesson! After this demonstration, it’s time to dry off and visit the store. Here is where you can purchase some of the delicious maple syrup you witnessed being made.

Now it’s time to head over to school to visit all those Maple Festival vendors! And maybe give your socks a little time to dry! There are so many wonderful vendors at this festival, but I’m giving a shout out to a Crozetian Local, Made by MoMo. (In case you are asking, what is a Crozetian? This is a Crozet, Virginia native. You’ll see the signs for Crozet as your heading west to Highland County. I love this town, maybe stop for a visit coming or going to the festival!). Back to Made by MoMo. This vendor is not only known for her incredible Bloody Mary Mix, she also bakes and sews. There are no words to describe this Bloody Mary Mix, just grab a bottle and enjoy! I want to talk about her sewing. Her eco-friendly goodies will have you buying some for yourself and for your friends and family. From cloth napkin sets and un-paper towel rolls to bowl koozies and aromatherapy sleep eye masks, she’s got something for everyone! And if you can’t find it at the Maple Festival, shop online at momosmix.com.

I could go on and on with Highland County Maple Festivals favorites, but I try to keep these blogs limited to a page or two. I don’t want to bore you, I just want you to grab your rain boots and umbrella and head over to Highland County this weekend. Who knows, maybe the weather person could be wrong and the rain will hold off. They definitely been wrong one or twice before!

If you want to learn more about this festival, just search Highland County Maple Festival, you find all everything you’ll need. Safe travels through the mountains to “Virginia’s Sweet Spot.”