ALBION, Pa. — Online we are seeing lots of interest in sustainable living and homesteading. People are exploring maple syrup production for both a business and a way of producing their own syrup, sugar and candies . We hope to continue to see this interest and growth in the maple industry. People are excited about trying to be sustainable and products produced locally as well as the health benefits of 100% maple syrup. The Lake Erie Maple Expo in Northwestern PA gives lots of learning opportunities and insight into the art of Maple Syrup. We have classes for the expert as well as for the hobbyist. We are blessed to have some of the most well known experts in the industry as well as many local legends in the industry.
“When the Lake Erie Maple Expo started it was a Saturday only show. Over the years the Workshop Series was added on Friday, which was a big hit. The in depth workshops give the producers a wide variety of topics to choose from and often a chance to see another sugar operation. The one that has not changed is the number of quality speakers presenting at the event. The LEME features educational presentations from the leaders in university research and the maple industry.
Because the LEME is held in early November, the program allows for both indoor and outdoor workshops on Friday to target specific educational topics on maple production. This year, producers will have five workshop topics to choose from. {The following Friday workshops will start at 9:00 am and conclude at 2:00 pm, there is a separate $30.00 registration fee for the Friday Workshops which includes lunch.}
A sample agenda for the Friday Workshops potentially includes;
- Maple Tubing Installation layout and design
- Maple Confections and Value Added Maple Products
- A Maple Workshop for Beginners
- Advanced Tubing & Vacuum
- Tour of the Maple Museum in Edinboro
On Friday evening November 10th, the Trade Show will open at 5:00 pm and will run till 7:00pm. We also have a small ice cream social planned at the Northwestern High School Sugar House from 7pm till 8pm. Saturday, the venue will be opening at 7:30 am and ending at 3pm. The trade show will feature just about every major maple equipment manufacturer from across the USA and Canada. The Saturday program is loaded with topics presented in concurrent sessions held throughout the day. Saturday registration and the tradeshow will open at 7:30 am. The seminars will start at 8:30 am. All of the speakers included in the Friday workshops will be returning with different presentations on Saturday. There will also be a host of research, commercial producers and local experts presenting a variety of maple production topics.
The location for all of the LEME events will be Albion Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. The Seminars and Trade Show will be at the Northwestern High School in Albion, PA. You do not want to miss this one, so mark your calendars for November 10th and 11th and join the fun at this year’s LEME. Registration information will be available by July 1st. The deadline for pre registration will be November 1st. For additional information on the LEME registration and program go online at www.pamaple.org or Facebook the https://www.facebook.com/LakeErieMapleExpo
Early registration ends October 15th
Pre registration ends November 1st (+ $5 per participant)
Door registration November 10th -11th (+ $10 per participant)
— Anthony Honeycutt, Lake Erie Maple Expo Committee
