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Fresh maple syrup is truly one of the first signs of spring in Ontario. What better way to celebrate spring than at the many maple
syrup festivals throughout Ontario. Maple syrup production starts in many areas in March and runs into April depending on weather, and temperature
changes. Many of the 400 eleven members have late winter spring festival activities in nearby resort destiantions or mixed with March
getaways and April Getaways during the maple syrup harvest.
Families can learn the history of maple syrup and glimpse first hand the boiling of the sap, (sweet water) and the making of the maple syrup. Maple
syrup history goes back 1000 years and coincides with the arrival of spring, warmer weather and the "Maple Moon." The "sugaring
off " period or maple syrup festival time is unique to North Eastern North America. In Canada, production is primarily in Ontario, Quebec,
and some in the Maritimes. Many products are made from the syrup including maple butter, maple taffy in the snow, maple walnut ice cream, cured
maple bacon, maple fudge, and a variety of desserts such as baked apples with maple syrup, always a family favorite.
Ontario 2010 Maple Syrup News
New Maple syrup standards
Peterborough Examiner
... mice out of sugar houses and proper ways to sanitize equipment, said Neil Campbell, incoming president of the association's Haliburton-Kawartha
chapter. ...
Maple Syrup Recipes
The taste treat was first reported in the 1600's by French priests, probably in Quebec and historic Huronia area of Georgian Bay. See Maple
Syrup Recipes.
Maple Trees For Syrup
The source of maple syrup should not be forgotten. The importance of the maple tree is often ignored both as the source of Canada's national emblem
on our flag, and as the source of the delicious golden liquid called maple syrup produced each spring in North Eastern Canada. The Sugar Maple is
the main source of maple sap for maple syrup products. See more information on Sugar
Maple Tree.
More information on Canadian maple trees can be found at Maple Leaves Forever (MLF]. Maple Leaves
Forever Foundation advocates planting of native maples in increasing numbers across the rural landscape of southern Ontario.
Maple Syrup 2010 Festival Activities
A trip to the sugarbush with the family wouldn't be complete without the taste of fresh 'hot-off-the grill' pancakes and sausages smothered in
Canadian maple syrup. In recent years the Maple Syrup Festivals have attracted a wide range of families and couples. Visitors from all over Ontario
and Canada plus international travellers and visitors come experience one of the many traditions of being Canadian in Ontario.
Sugar bush experiences highlight many family fun activities:
- horse drawn sleigh rides
- maple syrup boiling demonstrations
- taffy on snow
- log-sawing contests
- snowshoe races
- plank races
- step, clog and old-time square dancing
- nature trail walks
- live old-tyme music and more.
See March Getaways, and Spring March Break Getaways for resorts, inns,
hotels including maple syrup activities in their family programs and packages for families.
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