The state of Vermont is almost synonymous with maple syrup, and the rest of the greater New England region isn鈥檛 far behind. Canada also boasts major production, fitting of a country whose flag is adorned with the maple leaf.
But Ohio is also the heart of maple country, and one of the state鈥檚 great hubs just marked 100 years of its celebration of all things maple.
The centennial edition of the Geauga County Maple Festival brought people to Chardon for pancakes, syrup contests and more the last weekend in April. But it was especially sweet for one family honored at the fest.
Family鈥檚 affair
Mary Kerchelich knows the festival as well as anyone.
鈥淚 remember going when I was even 5 years old.鈥疘 just remember riding the rides and, of course, having the maple stirs. And just the family camaraderie. Back then, Chardon was just a village, so everybody knew everybody else, and we welcomed everybody,鈥� Kerchelich said.
Kerchelich is part of a Chardon family of syrupers.
鈥淚 have been involved with the maple festival going on 40 years next year. I've been involved in the parade, publicity, and now I handle all the office calls,鈥� Kerchelich said.
Her maiden name is Tvergyak, and this year her brother, Jerry, joined their other brother, Mike, in the fest鈥檚 Maple Producers Hall of Fame.
鈥淚'm actually selected from prior hall of fame members,鈥� Jerry Tvergyak said. 鈥淵ou think about that, people respect me that much, to have me honored.鈥�
A tradition of sweetness
Jerry Tvergyak got his start in tapping for sap by watching his older brother do it in the family鈥檚 backyard.
鈥淧eople would say, 鈥榃hat, so you just literally put a hole in a tree and the syrup comes out?鈥� It's not that easy,鈥� Tvergyak said.
Easy, no, but simple? Yes. As any maple syrup producer will tell you, maple sugar is 100% pure. Producers take the sap from the tree, boil off the water and what鈥檚 left is the pure syrup, only made in North America and a tradition passed on from Indigenous people.
鈥�What you need for perfect conditions for the sap to flow is cold nights below freezing, warm days above freezing,鈥� Tvergyak said.
Party city
Mike and Jerry Tvergyak along with their sister are all still deeply involved in the festival which takes over Downtown Chardon for four days of celebrating the bounty of the season.
The festival features rides, food and every product under the sun that can be made with maple syrup - from jerky to cotton candy to dog treats. They also pay homage to the trees themselves with a lumberjack competition. Twelve events with chainsaws and axes gives wood sportsmen from across the country a chance to show off their skills.
Clint Davis came from Iowa to compete in the chainsaw categories.
鈥�It's great. I mean, the atmosphere is wonderful. Everybody's just out of this world, nice, friendly. I mean just welcoming. It's just such a great atmosphere,鈥� Davis said.
On the main drag where the festival parade comes down the street on Saturday and Sunday, Jerry Tvergyak leads historical demonstrations on how the Native Americans tapped trees and how more recent developments, like the backpack power tapper - a portable back-mounted gas drill - revolutionized tree tapping in the mid-20th century.
鈥淪yrup makers, I guess, you go by experience, like anything else in life or career, you do so much, you become second nature to it, you become an expert at it. So, I've been doing it, involved with syrup making myself, over 50 years,鈥� Tvergyak said.
On the closing day of the festival, the grand parade wove through crowds of families showing off the royal pageant winners along with local businesses, politicians and social groups. Near the front of the parade, a banana-colored Cadillac convertible carried Jerry Tvergyak and his wife, Lisa, as guests of honor for the parade.
Crowds showered the couple with adulation as Tvergyak took a much-deserved victory lap around the town whose maple syrup industry he helped to thrive for decades with his dedication and love of the sap.
It鈥檚 a love that still drives his family and others who join in the annual celebration.
鈥淥nce you start getting into making maple syrup, it gets into your blood,鈥� Tvergyak said. 鈥淓very single spring, you kind of get this itch that I've got to get out in the woods and start tapping these trees.鈥�
