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Tapping into SweetnessThe celebration of Maple Syrup begins on Tappin' Sunday which usually occurs on the 1st Sunday in March. This year it is March 1st , 2026!
This includes the tapping of all the maple trees on Chardon Square to have syrup for the festival. To tap a tree, you must drill a hole in the tree to start. Then you must tap the spike and hang the bucket from the tree. The sap collected from Tappin' Sunday is then taken to the Chardon Square Sugar house where it is turned into Maple syrup stirs for customers to enjoy. |
Meet our 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee & Ceremonial Tree Tapper
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We are proud to announce Jerry Tvergyak as our 2026 Maple Hall of Fame Inductee—a recognition earned through a lifetime of passion, service, and dedication to the history of maple sugaring in Geauga County and beyond. Jerry’s maple story began in 1964, at just 7 years old, watching his older brother boil syrup on a flat pan in the backyard. That early spark turned into a lifelong calling. Over the decades, Jerry: Learned the craft hands-on by gathering sap and making syrup with his brothers. Worked with Richards Maple Products, gaining firsthand experience in syrup production. Volunteered extensively with Geauga Park District, including years at Swine Creek Reservation and the Mark Sperry Memorial Sugarhouse (serving as Sugarbush Manager in 2005). Shared his knowledge at The Holden Arboretum, delighting visitors during pancake breakfasts—sometimes even boiling sap himself during big runs. Played a key role in building and volunteering at the timber-frame sugarhouse at the Geauga County Fairgrounds Designed, built, and donated multiple historic sap spiel displays, preserving rare maple artifacts and U.S. patents dating back to the 1800s
In 2003, Jerry approached the board of the Geauga County Maple Festival with a vision to reestablish a maple history display. That vision was unanimously approved—and today, thousands of visitors each year continue to learn from the displays Jerry curates using his personal collection and festival memorabilia. Jerry’s impact goes far beyond syrup—it’s about education, preservation, and sharing a deep-rooted tradition with future generations. "I feel privileged to have had—and to continue to have—the opportunity to educate and enlighten thousands of visitors on the history of maple sugaring. It is such a passion of mine.” We are honored to celebrate Jerry Tvergyak as a member of the Geauga County Maple Producers Hall of Fame. |
Past Hall of Fame Inductees
2026 - Jerry Tvergyak
2025 - Curt Johnson
2024 - Paul Newman
2023 - Jenn Freeman
2022 - Mike Tvergyak
2021 - Colin (Dave) Rennie
2020- Robert Freeman
2019 - Dale & Jan Sines
2018 - James & Linda Miller
2017- Roderic Timmons and Robert Timmons
2016 - "Tinner" John Henry Miller
2026 - Jerry Tvergyak
2025 - Curt Johnson
2024 - Paul Newman
2023 - Jenn Freeman
2022 - Mike Tvergyak
2021 - Colin (Dave) Rennie
2020- Robert Freeman
2019 - Dale & Jan Sines
2018 - James & Linda Miller
2017- Roderic Timmons and Robert Timmons
2016 - "Tinner" John Henry Miller