Belmore Maple Syrup Festival

Belmore is called “The Hamlet with a Heart”, and although only around 100 residents call this hamlet home, their commitment to community shines through in their upcoming 55th Belmore Maple Syrup Festival, being held on Thursday, April 10 and Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the Belmore Community Centre, located at 91122 Belmore Line, Wroxeter, on the county line between Huron and Bruce. 

The origin of the Festival is a classic Canadian tale of community spirit, pulling together towards a common good, and finding a way to make it fun. In 1968, the Community Centre needed a new roof. A Maple Syrup Festival was proposed. Maples were tapped, sap was hauled, evaporators set up which required constant wood for fuel. In the end, the volunteers produced 725 gallons of maple syrup. 1800 people attended the Festival. The new roof was in place before the end of the year. Then, in 1976, the people of Belmore were told their beloved, hard-earned Community Centre was deemed unsafe and needed to be torn down. In 1977, the Festival was held in the brand new Community Centre. They’ve got heart, all right.

The Pancake Breakfast is a sacred tradition in Southwestern Ontario, and Belmore has 55 years of experience. Around 300 volunteers come together to make the event happen. 

On Thursday, pancakes are served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there will also be live music, a craft show, euchre tournament, an outdoor maple syrup demonstration, and booths featuring maple syrup and pork products. On Saturday, pancakes will be served from 8am to 6pm and, in addition to live music, syrup demonstration and the craft show, there will also be kid’s entertainment. Saturday is also “Pub Day” and refreshments will be available after 10 a.m.. Admission to the Festival will be free, with adult meals being $17, kids meals ages 6 to 11 are $9, and kids 5 and under are free. The Community Centre is wheelchair accessible and there is handicap and wheelchair parking assistance available. 

For more information, check out belmorecommunitycentre.ca or Belmore Maple Syrup Festival on Facebook.