Ohio is home to a large variety of maple trees so maple sugaring events around Columbus are plentiful! In late winter/early spring, when the snow is melting and the temperatures are rising, maple trees are tapped for their sap. This sap is then used to produce maple syrup that we buy in the stores today. Families are invited to watch the maple syrup process take place at a variety of events around town. It is fun to watch, educational and oftentimes tasty! Here is a list of maple sugar events around Columbus.
Malabar Farm State Park - Maple Syrup Festival
Katie G.: Spend a day on the farm learning the history of maple syrup and how it started. See the maple sugaring process in the sugar shack where you may even get to sample some fresh syrup. Enjoy historical demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides and plenty of maple products available for purchase, including syrup, cookies, candy, popcorn and more.
Cost: Free, cash donations appreciated
Slate Run Farm - Maple Time
Katie G.: Take a short hike to the maple trees at Slate Run Farm to learn how they are tapped to make sap. Afterwards you will see how the sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. Take a taste test to see if you can identify the real maple syrup. You acn call ahead to see if the sap is flowing.
Cost: Free
Shepherd's Corner Ecological Center - Maple Syrup Tour
Katie G.: Tour the woods at the ecological center to learn about the maple syrup process. See how trees are tapped and the sap is boiled down to make syrup. Sample some fresh syrup while you're there. Register in advance.
Cost: $6 per person
Camp Lazarus - Maple Syrup Festival
Katie G.: The Boy Scouts of America sponsor their annual Maple Syrup Festival at Camp Lazarus in Delaware. The event is held rain or shine and open to the public. Come learn how maple syrup is made, see wood cutting demonstrations, try your hand at tomahawk throwing, watch how to make fry bread and enjoy plenty more hands-on activities for the family. Food and maple syrup will be available for purchase at the event. If you pre-register you can receive a patch and meal.
Cost: $15 pre registration or $10 at the door (no breakfast or patch)
Stratford Ecological Center - Maple Sugar Pancake Breakfast
Katie G.: Spend the morning at Stratford Ecological Center for a fresh, farm-made pancake breakfast. Breakfast will include whole wheat pancakes, sausage and fresh maple syrup made right on the farm. After the breakfast, take a short hike to the sugar shack to learn all about the maple sugaring process. Limited seats available every hour, advance registration required.
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for kids (2-12)
Stratford Ecological Center - Maple Sugar Days
Katie G.: Enjoy an up close and personal lesson in maple sugar production. Experienced sugar cookers will show you how to tap the maple trees to collect sap and the process that takes place in the sugar shack to create yummy maple syrup. Tours will begin every half hour and maple syrup will be available for purchase. There will be a pancake breakfast for everyone to enjoy! Registration required.
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for kids
Gallant Farm - Maple Syrup Time
Katie G.: Learn the history of maple syrup at Gallant Farm. See how sap is extracted from trees and boiled down to create syrup.
Cost: Free
Homestead Metro Park - Maple Sugaring
Katie G.: Take a short hike to the maple trees in Homestead Metro Park to learn how they are tapped to make sap. Afterwards you will see how the sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. Take a taste test to see if you can identify the real maple syrup. Dress warm for the weather.
Ages: 5+
Cost: Free
Primary photo: Nadine Primeau on Unsplash
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