COLUMBUS – Unseasonably warm weather has given Ohioans a chance to get outside and nature is sweetening the deal in the next few weeks as the state’s maple syrup harvest gets underway with several family events at various state parks.
Maple Syrup Festival at Malabar Farm State Park – Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County will host its 41st annual Maple Syrup Festival from 12-4 p.m. the weekends of March 4-5 and March 11-12. Visitors can take horse-drawn wagon rides to the Sugar Camp, witness live historical demonstrations and enjoy music and food. Maple products will be available for sale. Donations may be made to the group providing wagon rides. For more information, call 419-892-2784.
Maple Syrup Festival at Hueston Woods State Park – Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County will host its 51st annual Maple Syrup Festival the weekends of March 4-5 and March 11-12 from 12-4 p.m. A pancake breakfast, with locally made syrup, will be available at the park lodge. Throughout the weekend, concessions will be made available by the Friends of Hueston Woods and the Museum Association. Visitors can go on maple syrup tours, hay rides and hikes through the Big Woods State Nature Preserve. The nature center will also be open during this time. For more information, call 513-524-4250.
Maple Sugaring at Hocking Hills State Park – Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County will host events at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center on March 11-12 from noon until 4 p.m. Free tours around the naturalist cabin will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Naturalists will demonstrate methods to make maple syrup and maple candy, and delicious samples will be available. For more information, call 740-385-6842.
-Source Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
The state’s Explore Ohio initiative is aimed at encouraging people to exercise outdoors.
Whether running, hiking, biking, climbing, walking or paddling, participants can track their miles, share photos and create groups on the Explore Ohio website and share their adventures on social media using hashtags such as #ExploreOhio and #HikeOhio.