Thursday, April 4, 2013

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

This is actually my first time at a Maple Syrup Farm/Festival and I was just thinking of finally plan a trip. And it just happen the people of Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival send me a email inviting me to go and I got my tickets within days in the mail (^_^)

There's 2 location to choose from that are within 1/2 to 1 hour drive from the city. We decided to go to the Bruce's Mill location which was less than 20 minutes drive from our house.








The festival is open beginning of each Spring and run for 4 weeks (March 2nd to April 7th for this year). It really great for family with children. There's also picnic tables all around, would be great to pack a small feast of the weather permit.

 There's hourly wagon ride and guided tour around the trail.


Love how there signs all around explaining the Maple Syrup making step by step. This allows you to go on a self guided tour without the small crowd and at your own pace.























Did you know that it actually take 40 buckets of Sap to make only one bucket of syrup.
The best trees for maple syrup making are sugar maples, because they have the sweetest sap but Red, black and silver maples saps are also good for syrup making
.

Pioneers had metal pot and would boil sap over an open fire. A series of 3 pots was used as the sap heated up, it would be ladled from pot to pot and finally to a finishing pot. Eventually a large flat pan was used instead of pots since the larger heating surface made it quicker



 This show how the different type of spile and the number of taps can affect the tree.


A spile is inserted into the taphole to direct the flow of sap.




No need of all the pots and pan the modern way


 Imagine this clear sap trun into the golden maple syrup that we love... that's a lot of work.



The lineup inside for the pancakes was so long that we gave up since we ate already....
so we grab a snack instead ;)


Hot Apple Cider and a Butter Tart
.


Pony ride for the kids


and of course a petting zoo



Had so much fun and the weather couldn't be more perfect (^_^)
There was more trails around to explore but the bf was feeling lazy.

Note: There's actually no Maple Syrup made here, it's only for tour at this historic site

Tip : if it's raining or rain the day before, best to wear rain-boot since it's rather muddy.

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