One of the coolest things about February and March here in Michigan is the abundance of maple syrup-inspired events. The entire process is fascinating, and I love that it’s the first farm crop to be harvested in Michigan each year. That is definitely worth celebrating…and noting that spring must be on its way!
Cool facts about maple syrup:
- A tree takes about 40 years before it’s big enough to tap.
- The typical sugaring season starts mid-February through mid-March and last for about 4-6 weeks. The pattern of freezing nighttime temperatures and thawing daytime temperatures create a build up of pressure in the maple trees to get sap flowing through the tapholes. The end of this temperature cycle will cease the flow of sap.
- Michigan ranks 7th in maple syrup production in the United States.
- Maple syrup has many minerals per tablespoon: 20 milligrams of calcium, 2 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.2 milligrams of iron, 2 milligrams of sodium, 35 milligrams of potassium.
Check out one of these great local events with the family for an educational AND delicious experience!
2022 Maple Syrup Events in Southeast Michigan
Multiple Dates, February 26 – March 6: Maple Sweetness at Wolcott Mill Metropark, Ray
Visit Wolcott Mill Metropark’s Historic Center for a guided tour while you learn about maple syrup’s rich history and flavor. Participants will walk about a half mile over uneven ground to our woods to learn how to identify and tap maple trees. Then, visit the wood-fired evaporator to discover how to turn sap into the sweet treat! Maple items will be available for purchase. Tours begin every half hour and run approximately one hour.
Cost: $3 per child, $5 per adult, children under 2 free.
Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Information can be found here.
Multiple Dates, February 27 – March 6: Maple’s Sweet Story at Kensington Metropark, Milford
Take a guided walk through Kensington farm’s Sugar Bush. Learn how to pick the right maple tree, then watch how maple trees are tapped and sap is collected. Stop by the French and Native American camps to hear and see how these techniques have changed through the years. Then, visit the Sugar Shack to see and smell the sap being boiled down into maple sugar. Real maple sugar products will be available for purchase. Tours begin every half hour, last approximately one hour. Participants will walk approximately a ¼ mile over uneven ground.
Cost: $3 per child, $5 per adult, children under 2 free.
Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. three days before the program. Information can be found here.
March 5-6: Maplefest at MSU Tollgate Farm, Novi
MSU Tollgate’s Maplefest explores Michigan’s sweetest winter crop, maple syrup! Enjoy a wagon ride out to the Sugar Bush. Munch on sweet maple-themed treats and sip a hot beverage from the concession stand. Learn how to identify a maple tree. Tap a tree. See where the magic happens in our Sugar Shack. Hourly timeslots from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, or Sunday, March 6 are available for pre-registration. Information can be found here. Cost is $10 per person.
Weekends, March 5-27: Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury Farm, Northville
Head to Maybury Farm for an engaging tour starting with a wagon ride to the forested area. There you will walk into the sugar bush where you’ll learn the amazing way sugar maple trees produce sap, why sap flows, how to tap and collect sap from the tree. The wagon will then take you to the Sugar Shack where you’ll learn how the sap becomes delicious maple syrup by watching the process in action and then sample the finished product.
Cost: $10 per person, kids under 2 are FREE (must sit on a lap on wagon ride). Information can be found here. Reservations are not required.
Multiple Dates, March 5-20: Maple Sugaring at Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township
Learn the history of sugaring and how to identify maple trees and then hike into the woods to tap a maple. Afterwards, return to the campfire and learn the process of boiling sap into rich maple syrup.
Cost: $5 per child, $5 per adult, children under 2 are free.
Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Information can be found here.
Multiple Dates, March 5-12: Journey to the Sugar Bush at Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter
Take a journey across a field to the Sugar Bush and experience how maple syrup has been made over the years. Learn how to tap a tree, and then visit the evaporator to see the sap being boiled into syrup. This program is predominantly outdoors, weather permitting. Portions of the program may be held inside dependent on weather.
When you register, you can also add pancakes to go. Pancake meals are available through pre-order only, between 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., weekends in March.
Cost: $3 per child, $5 per adult; children under 2 free.
Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Information can be found here.
March 5, 12, 19: Maple Syrup Time at Stage Nature Center, Troy
Take a hike through the sugar bush of the Stage Nature Center and discover how maple trees make sugar and people through the ages have harvested it. Small groups will be guided along the outdoor trail and participate in activities to learn more about maple syrup making. There may be a short visit to the Sugar Shed if guidelines allow. There will be maple syrup and maple cream to sample and a take-home children’s craft. Tours last approximately 1.25 hours and start every quarter hour between 9 am and 3 pm. Register in advance for a specific day.
Cost: Teens and adults are $10, children ages 4-12 are $7, and children under 4 are free. Information can be found here.
March 5: Maple Syrup Scientist at For-Mar Nature Preserve, Burton
The sap has started to flow and it’s time to turn it into syrup for our pancakes! Learn some of the history behind For-Mar’s Sugar Bush Trail, what it takes to make syrup, and try a few tasty treats in the process. Dress for the weather. Suggested for ages 5 and up.
Cost: $5/person. Information can be found here.
March 19: Maple Syrup Festival at Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Shelby Township
Join us as we turn our maple sap into syrup through the process of maple sugaring. Learn how trees make sugar and how people through the ages have harvested it. There will be hands-on crafts and an opportunity to taste test our finished product. Jars of our organic, homemade maple syrup will be available for purchase.
Cost: $5 per resident, $7 per nonresident. Ages 2 and under are free. More information can be found here.
What maple syrup inspired events are your favorites?
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