Celebrate spring at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

As the snow begins to melt, and spring is just around the corner, families get together to enjoy the annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festivals.

Bruce's Mill, Kortright and Terra Cotta all are hosting the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival kicks off March break running March 14 to April 20, for families to take some time to learn and taste all the maple syrup they could think of.

The festival has run in partnership with the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) since 2015, and host a number of educational stations around the parks.

Maple syrup, pancakes, horse-drawn wagon rides, and even events for adults is a fun, tasty way to begin the new season.

Attendees are shown how trees are tapped, where the sap goes and how it becomes maple syrup. 

“The festival is a great way for people to leave winter behind and get outside to explore, connect with nature and enjoy family fun. In addition to educational topics at the festival, we have a full lineup of entertainment and tasty pancakes with real maple syrup,” said Jamie Williams for the Credit Valley Conservation.

The Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival is kicked off at four separate conservation areas at Bruce's Mill in Stouffville, Kortright in Woodbridge, Island Lake in Orangeville and Terra Cotta in Halton Hills. 

“We host a number of different stations around the park where families can come and learn about maple syrup. Stations include, Sweetwater Discovery – families can learn about how Indigenous People discovered maple sap, Early Settlers – this shares stories of how pioneers made maple syrup, Sugar shack – we have a working sugar shack onsite where we produce maple syrup for educational purposes. Visitors can learn how maple syrup is produced today and Changing Season – we share insight into how climate change could affect maple syrup production,” said Williams. 

On top of the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at Island Lake and Terra Cotta Conservation Areas, a few other maple syrup events are offered such as:

• Maple Syrup by Lamplight at Island Lake

• Maple Syrup: A Guided Sugarbush Tour, at Terra Cotta Conservation Areas

• Sap to Syrup: Learn to Make Maple Syrup at Terra Cotta Conservation Areas 

“Maple syrup is a Canadian tradition that everyone can enjoy!” exclaimed Williams.

To learn more about the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival and to purchase tickets, please visit maplesyrupfest.com.