Demonstrations & Vendors2010 Demonstrator/Vendor Application
Are you interested in participating in the 2010 National Maple Syrup Festival? Click here to download a printable application in PDF format. The deadline for Sutler & Demonstrator applications is Feb. 15th 2010. To learn more about being a demonstrator/vendor, click here to download our participant information sheet.
Maple Syrup Harvesting & Sugarbush Guided Tour Take a tour of a working sugarbush operation. At Burton’s Maplewood farm, you'll get an up-close look into the history and how the golden syrup is produced. This is a working farm, where you'll experience the entire operation from collecting the sap to evaporating and processing the syrup. Stay as long as you want and sample the maple goodies as they are made, because tours last all day from 9am to 5pm.
Blacksmithing  Blacksmithing began with the Iron Age, when primitive man first began making tools from iron. The Iron Age began when some primitive person noticed that a certain type of rock yielded iron when heated by the coals of a very hot campfire. In short, we can say that blacksmithing, the art of crafting that crude metal into a useable implement, has been around for a long, long time. Visit our Blacksmith shop and see first hand how Early Americans used Blacksmith goods and services as part of their everyday lives, learn about the art of Blacksmithing.
Dutch Oven Cooking  Dutch ovens saw their first widespread usage in the 1700s in Holland and England; however, the debate about their true origin rages on to this very day. Some historians believe that Dutch ovens were first introduced in this country by German and Dutch immigrants who peddled them along with other wares. Others maintain that the pilgrims brought over Dutch ovens from their home country, Holland. Regardless, modern day Dutch ovens still closely resemble those earliest designs. What we do know for sure is that we have the Dutch to thank for the casting technique that was patented in the early 18th century in England. Dutch oven demonstrations and sampling will take place every day for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. You can reserve your spot at one of our three outdoor “Thrashing” (Dining) tables. As they say “First come First served” reserve your spot today by calling 812-966-2168. Once they’re gone, they're gone!!!
Butter Churning Butter is essentially the fat or cream of milk which is separated by churning or shaking up whole milk. Throughout the centuries there have been various forms of butter churns to aid in the process. Until the Industrial Revolution a churn generally consisted of barrel being put on rockers which was manually rocked. However after the revolution mechanical means often were substituted. Modern day butter is the product of knowledge and experience that has been gained over the years.
Wood Carving  Wood Carving is an artisan’s craft that customizes a rooms décor. Wood Carvings have played a significant role in great rooms around the world in staircases, moldings, and mantles. Wood carving traditionally played a more practical role where wood pieces were used for hinges, floor pieces, and rafters. Current day trends have moved to wood carvings being of detailed objects such as birds, fish, and holiday figurines. To create unique individualized pieces artisans use handheld tools that are made for the craft.
Pottery Barn  At Burton’s Maplewood Farm Pottery & Brick Barn you’ll learn about the prehistoric pottery found in Peru, Mexico, and the SW United States which revealed a high degree of skill in color, form, and decorative motifs. Observe how baked-clay works by colonists in North America beginning in 1612 with the making of bricks and tiles in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Indiana which helped industrialize a nation. Get an inside look at a local historical landmark, the Medora Brick Plant, established in 1904 and placed on the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana's 10 Most Endangered sites. Initially Medora produced mostly brick for paving streets. In 1924 the Medora plant was purchased by the Jackson Brick & Hollow Ware Company, who also operated in northeast Brownstown - making predominately hollow drainage tile. Under the new owners the Medora plant moved from street pavers to producing primarily wall brick for facing commercial buildings including college campus buildings at Purdue Univ., Univ. of Kentucky, and Univ. of Louisville and beyond. Learn more about this rich history and see regional artisans at work hand sculpting raw pieces of clay into true works of art.
Smoke House A “smokehouse” is a cabinet, room, or building that exposes meat to a low temperature smoke saturated environment, for an extended period of time. The purpose is to preserve protein rich foods that would otherwise spoil before consumption. Smoking a meat takes advantage of both dehydration and the antibacterial properties absorbed by smoke. This preservation method originates prehistorically however modern day man has enhanced the flavor of smoked foods making it a delicacy in many cultures.
Candle & Soap Making  It would be almost impossible to attempt to date the origin of candles. The existing evidence is inconclusive as to the candle’s history. Ancient words that translated as candle could have actually meant, “Torch” or “Lamp”. The word “Candlestick” actually meant a rack or stand to hold one of these lights. Initially, candles were made from Tallow. Tallow is the solid fat extracted from animals, especially from cattle or sheep. We do know that remains of candles were found in excavations in Greece and Egypt. These remains were closely dated at around 3000 B.C. It was not until the emergence of the Roman Empire that scientists began to see evidence of the development of candles as we know them today. The history of soap dates back many years as well, when A soap-like material was found in clay cylinders during the excavation of ancient Babylon which is evidence that soap making was known as early as 2800 B.C. Inscriptions on the cylinders say that fats were boiled with ashes, which is a method of making soap, but do not refer to the purpose of the "soap." Such materials were later used as hair styling aids. At Burton’s Maplewood farm you can see how Candles and Soaps were made by early 18th century settlers as well as today’s more organically driven approach
Wool Spinning  Spinning has probably been around almost as long as people have. Every group of people known on earth at least knows how to pick some long grass or animal hair (or some of their own hair) and roll it back and forth along their leg or between their hands until the grasses all twist together and make a stronger piece of twine (twine after all just means something that is twisted). A spindle is basically a thing that spins. It spins like a top, you give it a twist and let it go, and it spins for a while and then falls down. In fact it is a kind of top, and spinning is sort of a cross between using a top and using a yoyo. Give it a whirl yourself at Burton’s Maplewood Farm.
Grist Mill Historically gristmills contained rotating stones powered by water or by wind; later mills used steam engines for power, and modern mills typically use electricity or fossil fuels to spin heavy steel rollers. These techniques produce visibly different results, but can be made to produce nutritionally and functionally equivalent output. Enjoy watching Don Pennington operate his portable Gristmill while grinding buckwheat for those famous National Maple Syrup Festival Buckwheat Pancakes!
Needle Art  Old books and stories tell of neighbors all being invited to a quilting. The women would quilt all day, perhaps taking turns around the frame while others cooked up the grand meal that would be served to the menfolk working long hard hours on the sugarbush farm that evening. Then it was a time for singing, dancing and courting among the young people. Enjoy spending some time around the quilting circle by the fire while the stories of yesteryear are told. Or lean back with an open ear to catch up on the latest gossip at the Sugarhouse.
American Indian Artifacts  Examine one of the largest collections of Indian Hunting & War weapon artifacts. This broad collection is accompanied by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Take a trip back in time and pick up or share a few interesting facts of your own.
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