TAP INTO SAP AT THE 28TH ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL AT THE NORTH PARK VILLAGE NATURE CENTER
Release Date: 01/06/09
Discover how sap is tapped from maple trees at the 28thannual Maple Syrup Festival at North ParkVillageNatureCenter, 5801 N. Pulaski Roadon Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No registration is required and the event is free for all ages.
“Each year we celebrate nature through events that are not only fun for the entire family, but educational as well,” said Timothy J. Mitchell, the General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. “The Chicago Park District aims to provide programming and venues that allow our visitors to connect with nature.”
During the two-day festival visitors can enjoy music and storytelling throughout the day, try tapping a tree, watch the sap boil and sample real maple syrup. There will be guided nature walks to the “sugar bush” where visitors will learn more about the tapping process and enjoy maple tree tapping folklore.
Pancakes with real maple syrup will be available for purchase along with hot beverages. Visitors may peruse the farmer’s market, where vendors will have hand-made soaps, salsas, wool sweaters, dried flower arrangements, jams & jellies, honey and more for sale.
Elementary school children from throughout the city who participate in North ParkVillageNatureCenterprograms started planning for the Maple Syrup Festival in mid-February. The school children helped prepare for the 2-day event by tapping into Sugar Maple trees to release the flow of sap with hand drills, spiles and buckets. More than 1,000 children and families visited the nature center in February to learn about both the ancient and modern processes of syrup making. Approximately 50 trees in the nature preserve were tapped to collect the watery sap. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.
North Park Village Nature Center is the city of Chicago’s first nature center, and just one of the Chicago Park District’s 56 nature areas. Visitors to these special places will discover a variety of opportunities to explore nature with its vast array of lagoons, wetlands, prairies, woodlands, river edges, bird sanctuaries, dunes and wildlife gardens. The North ParkVillageNatureCenter’s nature preserve is open seven days a week, year round. Admission is free.
- Contact Phone: 312.742.7529