Maple sugaring season is upon us once more. It is perhaps the sweetest part of the bitter cold and seemingly barren winter season we experience throughout the Mid-Atlantic—a chance to tap into the hard, weathered bark of a sturdy maple tree to extract a translucent, sugary substance that’s become such a featured mainstay condiment in so many breakfast (and other meal) traditions the world over.
While the maple sugaring process originated with the Native Peoples of North America long predating the arrival of the first European settlers, most folks today are inclined to overly connote maple syrup in general as being something distinctly Canadian. But it may surprise you to learn that Maryland, particularly the western part of the state, boasts an impressively deep-rooted history of maple sugaring. And fortunately for all of us stir-crazy residents with cabin fever, there are several awesome maple sugaring happenings to look forward throughout the state this winter. Here’s a list of just some of the most popular maple sugaring events going on during the months of February and March.
Brookside Nature Center—Maple Sugar Walks
Located in Wheaton, Brookside Nature Center is a versatile place to explore any season. However, during the month of February every year they feature their highly popular Maple Sugar Walk. For this happening, participants get to join in a hike led by a naturalist through Brookside’s famed Maple Grove, learning just how sugar maple sap is collected from the trees, and then the overall process for transforming it into the golden syrupy consistency everyone knows and loves so well.
This year’s Maple Sugar Walks will take place on the following dates and times: February 8 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.), February 10 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.), February 15 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.), February 17 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.), February 22 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.), February 24 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.), and February 29 (1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.). Admission is $7 and registration is required. Go to the website link for all other general information.
Cromwell Valley Park—Maple Sugaring Weekend
Baltimore’s own Cromwell Valley Park will be featuring a weekend-long celebration all about the art of maple sugaring on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days and will comprise of a host of onsite activities. Join resident naturalists for such pursuits as tree tapping, sap boiling, cooking demos, and even pancake samples. Best of all, this program is free and open to all with no registration requirements. While free, donations are always welcome. Click here to learn more about this event and other general happenings at Cromwell Valley Park.
Cunningham Falls State Park—Maple Syrup Festival
This is arguably the grandest of all maple sugaring events throughout the state—the one and only Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont. Held on location of the William Houck Area, the festival spans two weekends (March 9 and 10; March 16 and 17) and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on all days.
Every day is packed with ongoing goodness, of the maple variety and otherwise. Highlights include syrup-making demos, hayrides through the onsite maple grove, live bluegrass music, and even family-friendly fun follies like pancake flipping contests. And of course, you get to try the goods in addition, including gorging on a hot pancake breakfast with all of the works and other accompaniments.
Additional souvenirs and maple syrup products will be on sale throughout the festival. There is a requested $5 donation per person at the entrance. All proceeds from the Maple Syrup Festival benefit the nonprofit Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks. Visit the Cunningham Falls State Park website link for all other additional details.
Hashawha Environmental Center/ Bear Branch Nature Center—Maple Magic
While typically held the first Sunday in March, things are happening a little early this year at Hashawha Environmental Center/Bear Branch Nature Center in Westminster. One of the site’s most highly anticipated annual happenings, the 2024 installment of Maple Madness, will occur on February 17, between 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. An event that doubles as both a hearty breakfast and an all-out festival, registered participants are treated to scrumptious pancakes drenched in authentic maple syrup in addition to taking part in a host of other hands-on maple activities. Featured endeavors include hiking to the maple stand for an education on tree tapping/sap collecting, discovering the history of utilizing such methods in colonial and precolonial North America, taking part in living history demonstrations, and getting to sample (and purchase) the goods.
Again, registration for each participant over the age of two is required. Register now by clicking here. To learn more about Hashawha Environmental Center/Bear Branch Nature Center specifically, visit their website.
Irvine Nature Center—Maple Magic
This year, Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills will be presenting four different Maple Magic sessions. The first two will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sessions three and four will take place on Sunday, February 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For these sessions you get to join Irvine’s naturalists on an outdoor “hike-n-learn” experience that entails discovering how to identify maple trees and the overall process for tapping and extracting sap. You’ll even get to try your hand at a hand drill yourself! Other fun includes checking buckets for sap, and watching the clear fluid darken into its more familiar syrupy distinguishment over fires and an evaporator. And of course, tasting is part of the bargain as well. The cost is $10 for everyone ages three and up. Preregistration is encouraged as space is limited and this is a popular event. Visit the Irvine website to learn more.
Marshy Point Nature Center—Maple Sugaring
Marshy Point Nature Center in Middle River is also offering up some sweet maple sugaring fun on February 17, 18, 24, and 25. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on all the aforementioned days, you can come out for a host of good times, including interactive hikes, onsite demonstrations, hands-on tree tapping and sap collecting, and much more. You’ll also get to try various different kinds of syrup in addition. Hikes run every hour on the hour with the last hike conducted at 3 p.m. The cost for attending is $5 per person. Click here to learn more.
Ladew Gardens—Maple Magic
As one of the many popular annual events taking place at Ladew Gardens every year, Maple Magic always sells out pretty fast. And this year is no exception, as both days of this weekend-wide offering are already booked solid (although you can still register to be put on a waiting list).
Every year guests of all ages are invited to come out and learn about the making of maple syrup, and take part in an onsite nature hike to identify trees and then see the tapping and sap collecting processes in action. Get immersed in the transformative syrup boiling over an open fire and then end the day with tasty treats of pure maple syrup and candy. Sessions on February 17 18 will take place on the hour from noon to 3 p.m. Admission rates vary by age and membership status. Follow the site link to learn more.
Oregon Ridge—Maple Sugaring Weekends
Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center in Cockeysville plays host to so many exciting activities and events throughout the year, but their annual Maple Sugaring Weekends—typically held during the last two weekends in February—are among the most widely popular winter activities to take to. This year’s event will be conducted on February 17 and 18 and then again on February 24 and 25 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on all days.
For this family-friendly free opportunity, you get to come out to learn the overall maple sugaring process as demonstrated at different stations. From learning which trees can be tapped to seeing the sap dripping out into buckets and then being boiled down, it’s a wonderful opportunity for enjoying maple goodness in the way of syrup, candy, and even specialty maple cotton candy. Learn more about this event and all others at Oregon Ridge by clicking here.
Robinson Nature Center—Magic of the Maple Tree
Get ready to bring the entire family out to Robinson Nature Center in Columbia for one of the sappiest (in a good way) events of the winter. Taking place on Saturday, February 10, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is their Magic of the Maple Tree program. Here folks five and older may learn the art of maple sugaring, starting with demonstrative tree tapping/sap extracting and then a live onsite cooking demonstration. Throughout the event you’ll also get to taste many different syrups throughout the greater region.
The cost for attending is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Click here to learn more.
These are just a few of the many maple syrup-related events occurring throughout the state of Maryland this month and next. But remember that all events are subject to change. With that, it is always best to contact any event venue you are planning to attend well in advance to stay up-to-date on all current schedules and last-minute announcements.