Photos by Robert Williams

Guest judges examine some of the 23 entries prior to the official tasting to determine the winner of the Maple Syrup Contest at Summers Design Center on Saturday. Face painting was a popular activity Saturday morning in Vergas during the village’s Maple Syrup Festival. The Hairyman and his thematically dressed pals were popular with visitors for photo opportunities in downtown Vergas during this year’s Maple Syrup Fest. Riders leave the Vergas United Methodist Church on a Farm 41 sponsored horse drawn wagon during Maple Syrup Festival Saturday, April 13.

Area vendors like Wild Oak Market from Perham were located inside Summers Design Center and spilled outdoors as Maple Fest Vendor Fair proved to be a popular spot for visitors to stop. Ottertail-based vocalist Kate Lachowitzer performed for visitors to the Maple Syrup Festival vendor area Saturday morning in Vergas. Baby goats at the outdoor petting zoo were popular with kids of all ages attending the Maple Syrup Festival Saturday in Vergas.