Photo DCarew. Checking a sap bucket.
A group of local Maple Syrup producers are joining forces to host a Maple weekend on April 1st and 2nd. All participating producers will open the doors to their sugar shacks between the hours of 9:30am and 4:30pm and invite you to come and bring your family to walk a sugar bush and watch producers as they transform maple sap into a nutritious and delicious natural sweetener. Learn about the different syrup production equipment and processes, and secure your own stash of fresh, local maple syrup products.
At Squirrel Creek farm, visitors can enjoy a sweet feast and support a good cause by purchasing a meal of fresh pancakes, sausage and hot maple syrup made by the Centreville Presbyterian Church youth group who are raising funds for their 2018 mission trip to Guatemala.
Local retail outlets are keeping their doors open on the weekend to extend the festivities throughout the area.
In the meantime, join the producers who are keeping their fingers crossed for maple-friendly weather to ensure a good harvest. Maple trees need below freezing temperatures at night, ideally in the -5C to – 8C range, with days warming up as high as +10C. Extended periods of warm weather can cut the season short, which is bad news for everyone. KG
