Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum explores history, legacy
Take a look inside the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, its exhibits on the former president and his legacy.
“Virginia’s Sweet Spot” is right around the corner with the 66th annual Highland County Maple Festival happening March 14-15 and 21-22. Enjoy driving scenic back roads and mountain byways as you travel from maple sugar camp to sugar camp for a cultural and culinary adventure.
Since 1959, visitors, now in the tens of thousands, explore this unspoiled, rural region of Virginia to celebrate the “opening” of the trees and observe the process of maple syrup-making. In 1999, The Library of Congress designated the festival a “Local Legacy.” In 2014, the Governor of Virginia signed a bill into law designating the festival as the “official maple festival of Virginia.”
In 2026, there will be 10 open sugar camps with unique techniques and stories for you to explore for free. In addition to pancake and buckwheat cake meals, maple doughnuts and live entertainment, over 100 juried arts and crafts vendors take part in the festival each year.
Hours: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14-15 and 21-22 for the majority of the festival. Get an early start, beginning at 6 a.m. for Mill Gap Ruritan Club maple doughnuts or 7 a.m. for all-you-can eat pancake and buckwheat cake meals at certain locations.
Fees: Almost everything at the county-wide festival has free entry. There is a $5 admission charge for entrance to the arts and crafts in the school gyms and The Highland Center (ages 9 and under are free). Cash is highly recommended for many areas of the festival. Mobile ATMs will be available at the Highland County Public Schools in Monterey and Stonewall Ruritan Building in McDowell. Other ATMs are available at businesses as designated on the map.
Weather: Regardless of snow or rain or cold temperatures, Highland County welcomes visitors to enjoy the festival. March weather can be unpredictable, with snow on one day and sunshine the next. Highland County’s mountain elevation means the temperature is often several degrees cooler than in the surrounding areas, so layers of warm clothing are recommended. Much of the festival activities and sugar camp experiences are outdoors, so boots or comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
GPS addresses: The festival is a county-wide event. Three main areas of interest are “165 W. Main Street, Monterey,” “161 Mansion House, McDowell” and “2558 Blue Grass Valley Road, Blue Grass.”
Highland County Maple Festival sugar camps and map
See the map and descriptions of maple sugar camps participating in this year’s festival along with other local points of interest, food, entertainment, and more.
For more information, visit www.highlandcounty.org/maple-festival.
Monique Calello is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas always welcome. Connect with her at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsleader.com ’
