It’s maple sugaring season and here is a run-down of a few maple syrup festivals, tours and open house events.
Maple at Malabar Farm State Park
Lucas, OH — The Malabar Farm State Park Maple Syrup Festival will be held March 5-6th and 12-13th from noon to 4 p.m. Ohio ranks 4th in the U.S. maple syrup production, producing about 100,000 gallons each year. Approximately 900 syrup producers create a $5 million industry for the state’s economy.
There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, free maple syrup samples and visitors can tour the barnyard with chickens and goats. hot dogs chicken sandwiches and beverages are available at a Bellville Lions food truck, and a donut truck offers pastries and coffees.
Approximately 1,000 trees were tapped this year, up from 750 last season and visitors can see buckets on several trees collecting sap. Watch the magic happen as organic raw maple tree sap is being turned into maple syrup. Guides explain how Native American Indians taught European colonizers how to extract sap and boil it down, with the tools and methods used.
As part of the event, the Big House at Malabar Farm will also be open for tours.
Malabar Farm State Park Maple Syrup Festival
4050 Bromfield Rd.
Lucas, OH 44843
419-892-2784
Lincoln Memorial Gardens Maple Syrup Time
Springfield, IL — Lincoln Memorial Gardens Maple Syrup Time will be held March 12/13) from 2:00 PM 3:00 PM. The program is free and open to the public so bring the children, check out the weather forcast and dress accordingly.
“It’s one of those things that not a lot of people know how the process works so it gives them a chance to do a hands on and see how you collect sap and make it into maple syrup,” said Audra Walters, environmental educator.
The program includes seeing the “evaporation” process of boiling maple tree sap over a wood fire to yield maple syrup and of course, tasting the lovely syrup.
The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden
2301 E Lake Shore Dr
Springfield, IL 62712
(217) 529-1111
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Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
Kenosha, WI — It’s Maple Sugarin’ Time!” at the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum on Saturday, Saturday, March 12, 2022. Visitors can learn the process of how maple syrup is made during the annual event. The hands-on class is scheduled to take place again at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
880 Green Bay Rd
Kenosha, WI 53144
(262) 552-8196
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Mohawk Valley Trading Company
Utica, NY – Mohawk Valley Trading Company dark, robust maple syrup (formerly called Grade B) is made primarily from sugar maple sap which is preferred for maple syrup production because it has an average sugar content of two percent. Sap from other maple species is usually lower in sugar content, and about twice as much is needed to produce the same amount of finished syrup. Mohawk Valley Trading Company also offers granulated and powdered maple sugar.
Mohawk Valley Trading Company
901 Broad St
Utica, NY 13501
315-519-2640
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Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center Maple Sugar Festival
Morristown, NJ — The annual Maple Sugar Festival will be held at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township on Saturday, March 14, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and learn about the evaporation process and watch raw maple sap turn into maple syrup on an authentic wood-burning evaporator. Visitors can enjoy an extensive variety of fun activities, such as tree tapping demonstrations, maple cream, eating a snow cone, and much more. Take a guided ‘Hike Through Maple Sugaring History,’ and learn how sugaring has changed since it was started by the Native Americans thousands of years ago.
A maple sugar producer will be selling fresh syrup products.
This year, the program will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Spiles and syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last. Cost is $5 per person and the festival is held rain or shine. You must preregister and select your time slot.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
247 Southern Blvd,
Chatham Township
973.635.6629
