Maple syrup is the star at Maple Fest this weekend at Red Oak Nature Center in North Aurora.
Maple Fest, a tradition for more than 40 years, puts guests front and center to learn and experience the process of turning maple sap into maple syrup, according to a press release from the Fox Valley Park District.
The fest will run Saturday and Sunday at Red Oak, 930 N. River Road in North Aurora.
“Tapping maples for their sweet treat is one of the harbingers of spring,” said Renee Oakley, facility manager at the Fox Valley Park District’s Red Oak property, in the release.
Maple Fest features several one-hour time slots to choose from each day, organizers said. Admission is $5 for ages 3 years old and up, and guests are encouraged to register online in advance. To register, go to https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/.
Saturday’s program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday’s goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with time slots for participants beginning at the top of every hour.
“You learn the how and you also learn why this is the only time of year we can showcase this phenomenon and why not every place can do this,” Oakley said. “You’re at the right place at the right time with everything needed to make syrup.”
Presentations begin at the top of each hour on both days of the event and last about 45 minutes. Naturalists from Red Oak will conduct a short presentation before leading visitors to various stations in the woods to view demonstrations of how maple sap is harvested and turned into maple syrup, the release stated.
Attendees can stop by Sapwood Corner to test their maple-tapping skills first-hand. Maple syrup samples will be given out at the end of each tour for registered attendees.
Additional refreshments will be available for purchase, including a four-sample flight with Runamok maple syrups, with styles including Hot and Spicy, Organic Bourbon Barrel-Aged, Organic Cinnamon Vanilla-Infused, Organic Cocoa-Infused, Salted Caramel-Infused, Sparkle-Infused, Sugarmaker’s Dark Pure and Organic Sugarmaker’s Cut Pure.
Christy Graser, the Fox Valley Park District’s environmental education supervisor and certified naturalist, said guests are welcome to “explore the woods” when they’re finished with Maple Fest activities.
“Usually nature does a bunch of other things, like the eagles will swoop over the river or a family of geese will stop and say hello,” Graser said in the release. “It’s OK to come for the syrup and stay for the scenery.”
