{"id":2321785,"date":"2026-03-10T17:33:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2321785"},"modified":"2026-03-10T17:33:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:33:35","slug":"highland-county-maple-festival-returns-to-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/highland-county-maple-festival-returns-to-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Highland County Maple Festival returns to Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div id=\"videoWrap\" class=\"spacer-large videoWrap\" style=\"position:relative\"><media-video video-id=\"89068068007\" title=\"Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum explores history, legacy\" poster=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2026\/03\/06\/PSTA\/89019063007-img-4692.JPEG?crop=2047,1152,x0,y307\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\" placement=\"snow-video-story-priority\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"uwVideoPlaceholder\" slot=\"placeholder\" style=\"z-index:19;width:100%;padding-bottom:56.25%;position:relative\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"vidplaybtn\" style=\"display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-flex;display:flex;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,.4);border:2px solid #fff;border-radius:80px;cursor:pointer;height:80px;width:80px;position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);z-index:10\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vidplayicon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/appservices\/universal-web\/universal\/icons\/icon-play-alt-white.svg\" alt=\"play\" style=\"height:40px;margin:auto 18px auto 27px;width:40px\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div slot=\"videoDetails\" id=\"videoDetails\" class=\"videoDetails\" style=\"padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:8px\">\n<div id=\"videoDetailsContainer\" class=\"videoDetailsContainer\" hidden=\"\">\n<p>Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum explores history, legacy<\/p>\n<p>Take a look inside the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, its exhibits on the former president and his legacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/media-video><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Virginia&#8217;s Sweet Spot&#8221; 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.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p>Since 1959, visitors, now in the tens of thousands, explore this unspoiled, rural region of Virginia to celebrate the &#8220;opening&#8221; of the trees and observe the process of maple syrup-making. In 1999, The Library of Congress designated the festival a \u201cLocal Legacy.\u201d In 2014, the Governor of Virginia signed a bill into law designating the festival as the \u201cofficial maple festival of Virginia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/11035569-cf11-4e98-95c8-175499b62d9e-IMG_5975.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/11035569-cf11-4e98-95c8-175499b62d9e-IMG_5975.jpg?crop=4031,3023,x0,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/11035569-cf11-4e98-95c8-175499b62d9e-IMG_5975.jpg?crop=2258,3011,x1774,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/11035569-cf11-4e98-95c8-175499b62d9e-IMG_5975.jpg?crop=4031,2267,x1,y643 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Monique Calello\/The News Leader\" caption=\"James Puffenbarger from Eagle's Sugar Camp at the Highland County Maple Festival on March 17, 2019.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>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.\u00a0Get 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.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsleader.com\/story\/news\/local\/2026\/02\/20\/one-person-dead-in-augusta-county-crash\/88776904007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Man killed in Augusta County crash<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/026218db-706c-4eb6-b09a-b5d3d7320f65-IMG_6022.jpg bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/026218db-706c-4eb6-b09a-b5d3d7320f65-IMG_6022.jpg?crop=4031,3023,x0,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/026218db-706c-4eb6-b09a-b5d3d7320f65-IMG_6022.jpg?crop=2268,3024,x498,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/03\/17\/PSTA\/026218db-706c-4eb6-b09a-b5d3d7320f65-IMG_6022.jpg?crop=4031,2267,x1,y556 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Monique Calello\/The News Leader\" caption=\"Eric Smith from Eagle's Sugar Camp explains how they grade the syrup during the Highland County Maple Festival on March 17, 2019.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fees:<\/strong>\u00a0 Almost everything at the county-wide festival has free entry.\u00a0There is a $5 admission charge for entrance to the arts and crafts in the school gyms and The Highland Center\u00a0(ages 9 and under are free).\u00a0Cash\u00a0is highly recommended for many areas of the festival.\u00a0Mobile ATMs will be available at the Highland County Public Schools in Monterey and Stonewall Ruritan Building in McDowell.\u00a0Other ATMs are available at businesses as designated on the map.<\/p>\n<partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p><strong>Weather<\/strong>:\u00a0Regardless of snow or rain or cold temperatures, Highland County welcomes visitors to enjoy the festival.\u00a0 March weather can be unpredictable, with snow on one day and sunshine the next.\u00a0Highland County&#8217;s mountain elevation means the temperature is often several degrees cooler than in the surrounding areas, so\u00a0layers of warm clothing are recommended.\u00a0Much of the festival activities and sugar camp experiences are outdoors, so boots or comfortable shoes are highly recommended.<\/p>\n<partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/><cta-atoms-container-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/cta\" class=\"spacer-large\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>GPS addresses:\u00a0<\/strong>The festival is a county-wide event.\u00a0Three main areas of interest are \u201c165 W. Main Street, Monterey,&#8221; &#8220;161 Mansion House, McDowell&#8221; and &#8220;2558 Blue Grass Valley Road, Blue Grass.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsleader.com\/story\/news\/politics\/elections\/2026\/02\/19\/virginia-congressional-redistricting-lawsuit-appeal\/88766601007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Virginia congressional redistricting blocked again. What&#8217;s next?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Highland County Maple Festival sugar camps and map<\/h2>\n<p>See the map and descriptions of maple sugar camps participating in this year&#8217;s festival along with other local points of interest, food, entertainment, and more.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsleader.com\/story\/news\/local\/2026\/02\/20\/woman-guilty-of-sexually-assaulting-boy-at-staunton-psych-facility\/88754558007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Former Staunton psych worker guilty of sexually assaulting boy<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>For more information, visit <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.highlandcounty.org\/maple-festival\/\">www.highlandcounty.org\/maple-festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Monique Calello is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas always welcome. Connect with her at\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:phite@newsleader.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mcalello@newsleader.com<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<lit-timestamp class=\"column ten-column no-gutter spacer-small\" slot=\"timestamp\" publishdate=\"2026-03-10 14:02:40.286339475 +0000 UTC\" updatedate=\"2026-03-10 14:02:40.286339475 +0000 UTC\"\/><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsleader.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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. &#8220;Virginia&#8217;s Sweet Spot&#8221; 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2321786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[39915,22220,307621,306975,307620,307623,352976,54641,6297,21741,22034,239348,305467,22118,306988,25632,239349,346859,354124,24392,21739,298114,22764,449973,449975,21738,28774,239343,239347,23759,305466,305472,69477,449974,153291,240351,239344,320202],"class_list":["post-2321785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-affiliate","tag-arts","tag-audience","tag-beverage","tag-ccj","tag-ccj-audience","tag-congress","tag-destinations","tag-eamotion","tag-entertainment","tag-events","tag-events-u0026-listings","tag-experiment","tag-food","tag-food-u0026-beverage-events","tag-holidays","tag-holidays-u0026-seasonal-events","tag-library","tag-library-of-congress","tag-listings","tag-local","tag-local-affiliate-arts-u0026-entertainment","tag-local-news","tag-maple","tag-maple-syrup","tag-news","tag-of","tag-overall","tag-overall-positive","tag-positive","tag-renews","tag-renews-experiment","tag-seasonal","tag-syrup","tag-tourist","tag-tourist-destinations","tag-u0026","tag-virginia"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Highland-County-Maple-Festival-returns-to-Virginia.JPEG","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2321785"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2321787,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321785\/revisions\/2321787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2321786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2321785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2321785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2321785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}