Maple Sugaring Weekends at Lake Metroparks Farmpark - The Cleveland Moms

Join Lake Metroparks Farmpark for their last weekend of maple sugaring!

March 11 & 12 • 9 am to 5 pm

Discover how real maple syrup is produced when you tap into the fun of Maple Sugaring Weekends presented by Ken Ganley Subaru at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Take a wagon ride down to the Woodland Center to see how sap, a water-like substance, is collected, boiled and processed into pure maple syrup and candy during the two-weekend event (March 4 & 5 and 11 & 12.)

Maple Sugaring History

Maple production is one of the few agricultural activities not brought to the Americas by European settlers. Native Americans are widely recognized as the first to discover the sweet stuff from the maple tree. From the seventeenth century onward, sap has been obtained in a brief window between winter & spring as the sap runs out to the maple trees when the temperature is around 40 degrees following a night when the temperature drops below freezing. 

Maple sugaring activities:

  • Watch a boiling demonstration to see how sap is converted and processed into maple syrup
  • Enjoy a sample of some freshly produced maple syrup.
  • Whip up a tasty treat with maple stirs, while supplies last (an additional fee applies.)
  • Kids can try their hand at tapping a tree.
  • Learn how you can make maple syrup in your own backyard.
  • See how sap is collected commercially using a vacuum tubing system.

 

photo credit: Earl Linaburg

Visitors can venture out into the sugarbush on a guided hike to gather sap contained in collection buckets hung on the maple trees in the woods. One by one the guests will pour the sweet substance into a horse-drawn sled carrying a sap container. Activity is offered once daily (see schedule.) Also, see how the water-like substance is collected using a vacuum tubing system.

 
 
Farmpark’s very own pure maple syrup & maple candy will be available for sale (while supplies last) in both the Woodland Center and gift shop.
 
Bring the process full circle from tap to table and enjoy a pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup. A pancake breakfast, served by the Kirtland Kiwanis, will be available in the cafe (an additional fee applies.)
 
Hours for Maple Sugaring Weekend are 9am to 5pm March 11 & 12.  Regular Farmpark admission ($7-9) or membership applies. Farmpark members, children under 2 and active military and their families get in free. Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd. in Kirtland, Ohio (44094.) Event information and schedule are available at goto.lakemetroparks.com/maplesugaring
 
 
Richards Maple Products is a sponsor of Maple Sugaring Weekends.
 
 Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a working farm and education center located in Kirtland, Ohio. Farmpark’s mission is to provide a connection to our agricultural roots while helping people understand where our food and clothing come from. This popular destination features dairy cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, horses, alpacas, and goats, a plant science center, farm machinery exhibits, a  farm-themed playground and more. Horse or tractor-drawn wagons provide visitors with rides to all destinations throughout the park.

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