April 8, 2011 Maple Syrup, Boats, Art & Film

Powassan Maple Syrup Festival 

The 14^th Annual Maple Syrup Festival will take place on Saturday April 16 starting with pancake breakfasts starting at 7am and running all morning. The Festival usually draws about 5,000 visitors but last year drew 8,000.  The Festival closes at 4pm. 

There is lots of maple syrup and many other booths on Main Street along withal day  music, sheep shearing, wagon rides, food vendors, sugar bush tours, etc. etc. There is a business event at the Sportsplex and the West Coast Lumberjack show will be featured again this year. For more details Google- Powassan Maple Syrup Festival or www.powassansyrupfestival.ca. 

Giesler Boat Works Grand Opening 

The Giesler Classic & Antique boats business which has been a part of downtown Powassan for generations has moved to its new location. The beautiful new blue 6,000 sq.ft. building will be open for tours and demonstrations at the Maple Syrup Festival Saturday April 16^th. Turn off Main Street on Chisholm St. on the south end of Powassan and drive to the Giesler complex. The new site is on the same property as  Giesler Marine & Giesler Auto by Hwy 11. 

Joe Giesler & Gabe Aultman at work in the new shop-Doug Mackey photo

Giesler Boats was started by Barney Giesler in 1927 and his 4 sons worked for him and took over when he died in the 1950s. Two of those sons Joe & Pete still work for the company as does grandson Tim, and Gerry who oversees the operation.  There are currently 7 staff making some 20 different models and carry out repairs to the other aging Giesler boats as required.  Giesler boats are sold directly to the public and are cherished by their owners. Some are later sold for various reasons at high prices. Check Giesler Boats on the internet at  www.gieslerboats.ca  for company information. 

Bob Johnson & Wayne Topham at work.-Doug Mackey photo

The official opening of the new site will take place on Friday April 15^th at 1pm with various dignitaries and invited guests including MP Anthony Rota & MPP Monique Smith. 

Powassan Yarn Bombers on Display 

I wrote recently about the yarnbombers who put their work temporarily on a tree in front of the Powassan Library. It is still there. Yarnbombers around the world have put their knitting, crocheting, weaving etc. in public places, usually as a surprise. Most people love it. Some of the placement in Kingston on Military artifacts raised a ruckus. The point is to have fun and add some colour. Sometimes they ask for permission. 

Some Powassan yarn bombers getting ready for the Maple Syrup Festival.-Doug Mackey photo

The dozen or so yarnbombers that meet at the Powassan Library on Friday mornings asked the Powassan Council if they could bomb the lamp posts on Main Street during the Maple Syrup Festival. Council to their credit said yes. The artists will be out at 5pm on Friday the 15^th putting up their wares for the Festival next day. For more information on the trend google Yarn Bombers where events are detailed. Look for their work on Saturday at the Festival. 

Doc North Film Festival 

For those with different interests the Capital Centre presents the Doc North Film Festival on Friday & Saturday April 15 & 16^th.  For tickets and other information log on to www.docnorthfilmfestival.ca. Tickets are available at the Capitol Centre Box Office.