FOX44NOW.COM - Burlington/Plattsburgh News, Weather and SportsVermont Maple Festival Underway in St. Albans

Vermont Maple Festival Underway in St. Albans

Hundreds turned out in St. Albans Friday for the first day of the Vermont Maple Festival.  And while the festival showcases plenty of sweet treats, it also promotes one of Vermont's biggest industries.

Maple cotton candy and sugar on snow are just a few of the treats you can get at the Vermont Maple Festival.  Maple producers say it's festivals like these that are helping to keep their industry relevant.

"We just need to promote it because Vermont maple is a huge trademark to use here in the state of Vermont," maple producer Stephen Tetreault said.

It has been a tough year for maple producers in some parts of the state; they say the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

"Unfortunately the lower elevation sugar houses and the bucket operations just didn't fair as well, but that's sugaring," Bruce Martell, with the Department of Agriculture, said.

Other areas had a good season.

"No other state makes it as good as we do," visitor Sam Poquette said.

For those who make their money on the maple industry, they say it's more than just tasty.

"When you have the equipment manufacturers, direct sale, tourism, the effect of tourism and the maple themselves, with the fall color you're in the millions," Martell said.

This festival is free and will be running all weekend long.

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