The New Canaan Nature Center's Syrup Saturday festival returns on Saturday, March 17 from 10:30am – 2:00pm. This annual event celebrates the New England tradition of maple syrup making and includes a pancake brunch with different varieties of syrup, including the Nature Center's own.
Nature Center educators and local families who have "adopted" a tree for the season have been collecting sap from over 50 of the center's maples over the last month.
How does it work? Freezing temperatures create suction that draws water in through a tree's roots, and warm periods create pressure which causes the sap to flow out through a tap hole where it's collected in buckets. This sap, a combination of water, salt and sugar, serves as the tree's food and is the sole ingredient of pure maple syrup.
During Syrup Saturday, visitors will get a chance to observe the entire process from tree tapping to boiling into syrup at the "sugar shack". Educators will also demonstrate historic methods of maple syruping.
Local maple syrup and maple baked goods will be for sale. Guests can test their taste buds on real vs. fake syrup and learn what the different grades mean.
Join Nature Center naturalists for a hike along "Maple Lane" to learn how to identify sugar maples and other trees while hunting for signs of spring. Kids will make a maple-themed craft to take home. This event is primarily held outdoors and activities will be ongoing throughout the day.
Members: $8/person / Non-Members: $12/person. For more information visit newcanaannature.org or www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.
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