Maple sugaring festivities sweeten up Old Aylmer

Lily Ryan

Well over 30,000 visitors launched Old-Aylmer’s season of fun. The brainchild of Martin Boily (co-owner of L’Autre Oeil and an executive at APICA, the business association organizing the festival), this spring event lights up the downt-town area ahead of green trees and flowers.

Principale se sucre le bec ran two days from 10 am to 4 pm. Local businesses offered maple-themed wares and activities. APICA hosted with promotion, organization and booking talent to entertain all types of visitors. A farm-inspired petting zoo was set up in front of Le Monastère and a theatrical trampoline trio dazzled in the space around l’Autre Oeil both days.

Marché Laflamme, at the core of the festivities was the launch site for the European-style outside market next door. Pancake brunches at The British, Beurre salé and the Legion filled bellies, staving hunger for more outdoor fun until the next Old Aylmer activity, coming up soon.

Photo captions: 

Aylmer’s sweetheart, Le Scoop Gelato opened on the weekend. Line-ups and wide smiles signalled a sticky-season ahead. 

The Aylmer Legion kitchen crew, from left to right, Denise Haakman, Bev Côté (back to camera), Lynday Beaudry in the background, Bruce Howarth and Glenn Mondoux. 

Photo credit: Christian Rochefort