Maple Taffy

This year marks 60 years of the sweet and smoky aroma of maple syrup being cooked over an open flame within the familiar cedar-fenced taffy circle. The McKee brothers, Gerald and Russell began the demonstration in the second year of the festival. They proudly boiled syrup and poured it on snow to make taffy for festival goers for 30-odd years until Steve Bisbee and the Elmira Optimist Club took on the task of keeping the tradition alive for another 30. This year, Gerald’s granddaughter Michelle McKee and her husband, Steve Dressing will be shadowing the Optimist crew as the torch gets passed on. With support from Russell’s sons Phil and John, both sides of the family are back together, keeping the taffy flowing for years to come.

Taffy sticks are $2.00 each while supplies last.

Want more opportunities to get your hands on that sweet taffy? Visit our partner booth, McKee Taffy and Festival Cones, in the downtown mall.

Taffy Sticks $2.00 each
Festival Cones $2.00 each or a box of 6 for $10.00
Maple Snow Cones $2.00 each

Thank you to Vacutrux for their sponsorship and support of the expanded taffy operation.