COLUMBUS – This year’s crop of maple syrup in Ohio is shaping up to be a sweet one and the state is offering several chances see how maple syrup is made and enjoy the locally made products afterward.
Get more information maple syrup in Ohio, including a video on how to tap a tree.
Warmer days and chilly nights are the ideal conditions to get sap flowing from the state’s maple trees, according to the Department of Natural Resources, and five state parks will host festivals to celebrate the season:
Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County will host events at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center on March 12-13 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For only $9, visitors can enjoy an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast with sides and a drink from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Free tours around the naturalist cabin will be taking place from noon to 4 p.m. 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.
Indian Lake State Park in Logan County is holding events on March 19-20 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Free wagon rides will be available to visit the Sugar Shack for demonstrations on turning sap into maple syrup. Wagon rides will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday. For a small fee ($5 for adults and $3 for kids), visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast with sausage and beverages from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday. There will be pints, quarts and gallons of syrup for sale. For more information, call 937-843-2717.
Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County will host its 40th annual Maple Syrup Festival from 12-4 p.m. the weekend of March 5-6. 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.
Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County will host its 50th annual Maple Syrup Festival the weekends of March 5-6 and March 12-13 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 513-523-6347.
Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County is holding a pancake brunch at $5 per person at the Pioneer Village Inn from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 19-20. Brunch includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and hot chocolate. Visitors can go on tours of the Sugar Camp and see individuals dressed in period costume. A short 15-minute film will be played in the Village Schoolhouse. The naturalist will also take visitors on a guided hike through the woods to see the tapped maple trees and learn about winter tree identification. At the Sugar Shack, visitors will receive a hands-on experience with making maple syrup. For more information, call 513-897-3055.