When temperatures begin to reach six degrees during the day, and nights dip below zero, something wonderful happens.
Trees begin to awaken from their winter slumber, and the sap begins to rise.
That means it’s Maple Syrup season!
All across Ontario – and in other areas where sugar maples abound – trees will be tapped, and the process of ‘sugaring off’ will begin.
Maple syrup was the first of the sugar substitutes, at a time when cane sugar was an expensive luxury, and not always available in remote settlements in the New World. Settlers learned from their Indigenous neighbours how to boil down the sap of the maple tree to make a sweet syrup – and ultimately, a crystallized sugar.
While the Indigenous people usually stopped the process when the maple or birch sap was only slightly concentrated, making a sweet drink, or a syrup that could add flavour to cooking, the settlers preferred to continue until they had blocks of maple sugar.
Easily stored in those pre-refrigeration days, the blocks could provide sugar – or when dissolved in hot water, a syrup – for all cooking needs.
Learn more this March and April, at locations around Simcoe County, Grey County and York Region, as Maple Syrup festivals and demonstrations abound.
Spring into Moreston at Grey Roots Museum and Archive in Owen Sound is coming up on March 28. The event features a pancake breakfast and several maple syrup-themed activities including trying your hand at tree tapping. More information can be found online here.
Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival takes place at various locations around Elmvale on April 25. The event is volunteer-led and serves as a community fundraiser. More information is available online here.
Maple Syrup by Lamplight, at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. Guided Tour of the Maple Sugar Bush, a visit to the sugar shack and a taste of maple syrup, followed by a warm campfire and a fire-side treat. March 14, 21, 27, 28 and April 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at 416-667-6295 ext. 3, or online. Tickets $12.83 plus GST for adults, $6.64 plus GST for children and Seniors.
March Break Maple Syrup Family Days at Tiffin Centre for Conservation, 8195 Line 8 in Essa. On March 16 and March 20, come out for a day that includes tours of the sugar bush and demonstrations of sugaring off, geocaching, snowshoeing and kicksledding (weather permitting), a scavenger hunt, and crafts, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 in advance, $10 at the door. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
March Family Forest Friday at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, north of Bradford. On March 20, families are invited to come out and take a tour of the sugar bush, tap a tree, hike the trails, look for tracks in the snow, and try kickledding and geocaching. Programs from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3:30 p.m., with a break for lunch – bring your own! The all-ages event offers two programs – Hiking, and Geocaching. Cost is $15 per person. Pre-register online.
Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival, at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation, April 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Enjoy a pancake, sausage and maple syrup breakfast served by the Rotary Club of Barrie (included in the price of admission and served until 2 p.m.). Activities include demonstrations of sugaring off – from Indigenous methods to a modern sugar shack; re-enactors; nature crafts, and Zoo To You friendly animals in the John L. Jose Education Centre. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, build a Bird Box craft to take home ($10); visit with firefighters and Cadets, enjoy live music. Adults $14, Children under 12, only $7. At the gate – cash only, please. Tiffin is located at 8195- Line 8, Essa Twp., near Utopia.
Maple Weekend. Breedon’s Maple Syrup, located near Alliston, is participating in Maple Weekend, April 4 and 5. The family-operated maple syrup business, 3662 Conc. 3 in Adjala-Tosorontio, will welcome visitors to tour an eco-friendly syrup operation that uses a wood pellet-fired evaporator. Includes displays, demonstrations and samples of fresh syrup, maple butter and maple sugar candies. Purchase maple products to take home in the store.
Maple Heights Farms, operated by Greg Bray and Family, is holding a Maple Weekend Open House on April 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop by the farm at 3358 Line 5 in Innisfil for tours of the Sugar Bush and Sugar Shack. All proceeds from the sale of Maple Syrup at the open house will go to the 2020 Ride to Conquer Cancer. Admission is free.
