Geauga County Maple Festival

Spring has finally arrived in Northeast Ohio, which means maple syrup season is in full swing! To celebrate, Geauga County will host the 85th annual Maple Festival this Thursday through Sunday.

Geauga County's festival is the oldest maple syrup festival in the United States. It was founded in 1926 to market Ohio maple syrup in competition with Vermont syrup. More than 15,000 people attended the first festival and since then the event has become an annual tradition.

The free four-day event in Chardon Square includes arts and crafts, live entertainment, bathtub races, a lumberjack competition, tug of war contests, pageants, rides and the acclaimed maple syrup/candy contest.

A grand parade will be held at 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday while Pancakes in the Park, an all-you-can-eat affair, will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (cost is $8 per person).

Chardon Square is located at Route 6 and Route 44 in Chardon. A free shuttle bus service from Sheetz Plaza to Chardon Square will be available Saturday and Sunday.

Geauga County Maple Festival hours:
Thursday, April 24 from noon-10 p.m.
Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, April 27 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

For more information or a complete schedule of events, visit Geauga County Maple Festival.