Maple Festivities Continue Through March Break At John R. Park Homestead

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Last weekend, over 700 people attended Essex County’s only maple syrup festival at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area, but if you missed it, the maple-themed activities will continue during March Break.

The Homestead will be offering its popular ‘Maple March Break for Families’ program on Tuesday March 12th and repeated on Friday March 15th at 1:30pm sharp.

Costumed guides will be leading families through the steps to make maple syrup and sugar the pioneer way. Outside, families will get up-close and see the trees tapped and the sap boiling down in a large iron cauldron. Inside the 1842 kitchen the maple products are finished and each visitor can enjoy a sweet maple treat. The science of maple will be discussed as well as the origins of maple and a comparison between the traditional and modern methods of maple making.

Children can participate through various hands-on activities; try a brace and bit, carry pails of sap using an old-fashioned yoke and lend a hand with log sawing. After the program visitors are welcome to stay and play with pioneer toys and games, visit the other outbuildings on the farm, and find a tasty maple souvenir in the Homestead’s gift shop.

“Maple season can be muddy, which is part of the fun,” says Homestead Curator, Janet Cobban. “I always recommend that visitors dress warmly and wear boots. Also, being one of our most popular family programs of the year, it’s a good idea to arrive early.” Family Admission to this program is $20.