Got a sweet tooth and a taste for history? Satisfy both in one fell swoop when you head over to the 25th Annual Sugar Day at Kent Plantation House.
This festival, one of the biggest days of the year for the historic plantation home in Alexandria, pays homage to the celebrations that would have taken place every fall at the end of sugar harvest when Kent was a working sugar mill in the 1840s. Who doesn't deserve a little sweet treat after a season of hard work, right?
A large focus of the festival is showcasing snippets of everyday life and activities as they would have been done “back in the day.”
“It's very period oriented, and we aim to keep it historically accurate.” says Alice Scarborough, Executive Director of Kent Plantation House.
From blacksmithing to bobbin-spinning to beekeeping, experts provide demonstrations of fascinating yet practical crafts of all sorts. You can even get in on the fun yourself with a hands-on soap-making activity. Handmade goods of the highest quality are available for sale from local artisans, and live music and children's activities can keep everyone entertained.
Of course, over it all wafts the warm, sweet scent of sugar syrup, heated and stirred throughout the day in the plantation's enormous vats, just as it would have been almost two centuries ago.
“It really is such a distinctive smell,” says Scarborough, who claims the aroma is a key part of setting the atmosphere for Sugar Day. “It's quite heavenly.”
Unfortunately, that particular batch is destined to remain a background effect, as it won't be consumed or sold on the premises, but similar syrup from local producers is available in the Kent House gift shop. In the meantime, the wares of the food vendors on-site are sure to tempt your taste buds.
Admission to Sugar Day is $5, but once you're in, the exhibits and demonstrations are all free to enjoy. Festivities will be held rain or shine on November 10 from 9 am to 5 pm, so treat yourself to a day of Central Louisiana's sweetest festival. kenthouse.org.
