SALEM, Ind. — Pure maple syrup runs over a steaming stack of pancakes or waffles topped with strawberries or blueberries, ice cream or whipped cream and sausage on the side. Chicken and pork chops are smothered in a maple BBQ sauce and served with slaw, maple baked beans, a roll and dessert.

Hungry, yet?

Maple syrup-drenched entrees are just the beginning of the 15th annual Maple Syrup Festival at Leane and Michael’s Sugarbush on Feb. 25-26 and March 4-5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Michael and Leane Goering and their children, Jenny, 21, Emily, 17 and Caleb, 13, roll out the red carpet to welcome visitors to their sugarhouse and pioneer village including authentic log cabins that have been moved to the farm. Last year, approximately 8,000 attended the festival.

Activities include tours of the sugarbush and sugarhouse, Indian and pioneer syrup making demonstrations, mule-drawn wagon rides, children’s game and activity center, tomahawk throwing and crosscut saw activity with maple leaf brand, primitive crafts, museum of maple-related antiques, and primitive weaponry and knife sharpening.

Music including traditional fiddle, gospel and dulcimer is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a Christian worship service is at 8 a.m. on Sundays. Maple products and home-baked goods are also available.

Activities at the festival are free.

Leane Goering said the family relies heavily on friends and church groups to make the festival happen. A new dining room and new doors in the sugarhouse will help accommodate the crowd that grows every year.

Visitors are advised to dress warmly and wear good boots.

This farm news was published in the February 22, 2006 issue of Farm World.