Maple Sugaring Demonstrations, Tastings This Weekend In Chatham

Looking for a sweet treat and a fun afternoon of hands on learning fit for the whole family? For just $3 a person, all can experience all the sweet sights, sounds, and smells of creating Maple Sugar, right in Chatham Township.

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations will be held on select Saturdays and Sundays in January, February, and March, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township, according to the Morris County Parks Commission.

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations will be held this month on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday Feb. 8. Learn how to identify and tap maple trees for syrup, witness how syrup is made, and even get a taste of the nature’s winter candy.

Get involved in the process from start to finish by identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and seeing syrup made over a wood-fired evaporator.

Think you can identify the differences between maple syrups? Take a taste test of three distinct maple syrups, a store bought syrup made from corn syrup, a farm produced syrup made from sugar maple trees, and the syrup made from the red maple trees at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center.

Maple Sugar Festival Slated for March 14

The peak of the sugaring season is celebrated with the annual Maple Sugar Festival on Saturday, March 14, from 12 to 4 p.m. Head outside and watch smoke billow from the evaporator, and become engulfed in the sweet smell of maple sugar. Make maple cream first hand and taste the final product. Kids will enjoy a variety of crafts and games, and maple snow cones.

Bring your friends and family and take a fascinating guided ‘Hike Through Maple Sugaring History,’ to discover how sugaring has changed since it was started by the Native Americans hundreds of years ago.

For those who are thinking of making your own syrup at home, spiles are on sale along with easy instructions on how to get started.

Fans can purchase fresh, local, maple products from a maple sugar farmer. A large variety delicious treats will also be available for purchase. Admission to the Festival on March 14 is $4 per person, rain or shine. For more information please call the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center at 973-635-6629.

Information and photo courtesy of the Morris County Parks Commission

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