Maple Syrup Festivals in Burlington

It is almost March and that means that we are only a few days away from the start of Maple Syrup festivals here in Burlington!  When I say that I "love" maple syrup, it's not really an exaggeration - I wait patiently through the winter with the sweet memories of maple serving as my light at the end of the tunnel. I remember visiting these festivals as a child and now I have the opportunity to bring my own children out to experience this delicious fun.

We are so lucky to have three unique maple experiences all in our own backyard.  My family tries to rotate yearly between each festival or sometimes we squeeze two visits in.  Conservation Halton offers Maple Town at Mountsberg and Sweet Water Season at Crawford Lake.  Bronte Creek Provincial Park has their annual Maple Syrup Festival.

Visitors to Bronte Creek will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour led by costumed interpreters.  Along the way you will learn how the trees are tapped, how syrup and candy are made, you can view artifacts in the maple museum and tour the historical Spruce Lane Farmhouse.  By the time you are done touring, you will have probably worked up an appetite.  Fear not, you can hop on a wagon ride and head to the pancake house where you guessed it pancakes, maple syrup and sausage are on the menu!  But the fun doesn't end there. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a hike through the trails at Bronte Creek and if you have kids be sure to visit the children's farm where you can get up close and personal with cows, pigs, turkeys and more.  If the kids still have excess energy head over to the playbarn and let them run, jump and play.  As a previous visitor to this festival, I recommend giving yourself at least a couple of hours to see and do everything and dress for the weather as most activities are outdoors.  Entry into the festival is $16.00 and includes parking, but you will need extra cash if you want to purchase food and souvenirs.  The festival runs weekends in March and daily during March break.

At Mountsberg the folks of Conservation Halton transform the park into Maple Town.  You can stroll through the sugar bush and see the tapped trees or you can jump on the wagon ride for a guided tour.  I know that the horse drawn wagon ride is always a highlight for my girls (and me!) One of the great things about this event is that you can experience everything in one spot.  There are several out buildings where you can see maple syrup being made, see how maple sugar is made (try a sample), and of course there is the pavilion serving up pancakes, syrup and sausage.  Outdoors the trees in the area are tapped and you can watch the sap drip into the buckets, there is a vintage cooking demonstration with a big cast iron pot over an open fire and kids and adults can try the shoulder harness for carrying the buckets. You will need to walk into the area of the park that is dedicated to the event so dress warm and wear good footwear especially if it's muddy (which in my experience it usually is) due to melting.  Once you've had your fill of maple be sure to visit the Raptor Centre for the "birds of prey" demonstrations, hike along the wildlife walkway and bring the kids to the playbarn to visit the animals.   On March 3rd, visitors to Maple Town will get an added bonus with the Flapjack Olympics running 11am-3pm.  

Crawford Lake in keeping with their aboriginal roots has Native Style Sweet Water Presentations where you can learn how maple sugar would have been made in an Iroquoian Village more than 600 years ago.  While your there be sure to sample the cornbread dripping with pure maple syrup or maple taffy on snow (available from 1 until 4 pm).  All of the maple activities are in the 15th century reconstructed Iroquoian Village which you can spend some time exploring including the longhouse.  Kids will love the craft-making and discovery hunt and everyone can get active with a walk/hike on their 19km of trails.  Did you know that Crawford Lake is also home to a rare meromictic lake (where layers of water do not intermix).  This location does not have food services on-site so be sure to bring something along to snack on if you are planning an extended visit.


Admission to maple events at Conservation Halton are Adults: $7.50, Children (ages 5-14): $5.25, Seniors (65+): $6.50 and Children 4 & under No Charge.  You will need extra cash for food, souvenirs and the wagon ride.  Both festivals run March 2-April 7 Weekends, Holidays and Daily during March Break (March 11 -15).  

We hope you have a sweet time at the maple syrups events and if you need any assistance planning your visit to Burlington be sure to visit our website or give us a call at 905-634-5594 or toll-free at 1-877-499-9989. 

Falling into nature and falling in love

“Can he give you a kiss?”

It wasn’t the first thing I expected to hear when my family and I reached Kelso Conservation Park on this chilly but beautiful Saturday afternoon. Then again, I didn’t expect to be greeted by a three foot fork-tongued grizzly lizard named Oreo. The charming fellow was part of the reptile show at Kelso over the Thanksgiving weekend and one of many activities that are part of Conservation Halton’s Fall Into Nature festival.

My daughters Emma and Katie and I laughed as we reeled back when Oreo’s tongue darted toward us. Oreo is owned by “Adventure Ed” who brought his Safari Science show to Kelso for the event, which continues this weekend.

My family and I had been looking forward to checking out the cornucopia of events at Halton’s six parks (Kelso, Hilton Falls, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Crawford Lake and Mount Nemo), especially since the escarpment is now ablaze in full fall foliage. The events continue October 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We were looking forward to rediscovering some of the parks in the area which we don’t always get to. What we didn’t expect - and I’m embarrassed to admit this since I grew up in Burlington - was that we would discover a treasure trove of natural gems we never knew existed.

The list of activities was long - wagon rides, pumpkin painting, chair lift rides, bird of prey shows, and, of course, hiking. We decided to start our adventure at Kelso and, after greeting Oreo, headed over to the chair lift for a ride up the hill.

There was a brisk wind and I was glad we were wearing mitts but the panoramic view of nature in all its fall glory was well worth it. It was spectacular seeing the escarpment lit up in an artist’s palette of reds, yellows and golds.

The girls then did some pumpkin painting and then we popped in for some hot apple cider as we waited for the Arashido-Taiko Japanese drummers to play. The drummers looked chilly in their light clothing, especially those in sandals, but warmed up as they vigorously pounded their drums.

The next stop was Hilton Falls Conservation Area, a five minute drive away. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never been, especially now that I’ve seen what it has to offer. After Emma and Katie made their own pine cone bird feeders, we headed to the trails.

“Boy, you would think we’d have to go up north to find this but it’s all here,” said my husband, Mike.

So true. The trails were breathtaking in their beauty; the archway of trees, the beaver pond, the carpet of colourful leaves. If Spielberg designed a Hollywood set of the perfect hiking path, he couldn’t have created anything as beautiful as this.

The scenery kept us going as we made the 8-kilometre hike to the waterfall and back. By the time we arrived back at our car it was after five so we headed home to rest up for Sunday when we planned to take in Mountsberg and Crawford Lake.

While Mountsberg is known for its wonderful Birds of Prey show, we also had a delightful visit with a corral full of charming goats. My Katie swears one of them winked at her. Emma spotted the most beautiful grey horse in a nearby fenced area who we learned was a 21-year-old Percheron, a breed that originated from northern France.

“She looks like a statue,” said Katie, as we gazed at the beautiful still creature.

Next we tried our hand at painting the mural of large farm animals on the side of the barn. We headed for the wagon that would take us to see the bisons. As we rode along the bumpy trail, resource interpreter Erica Lagios explained to us that bisons are the largest mammals on the planet and that they once numbered in the 30 to 60 million range but by the late 1800’s there were only 600 left.

Due to conservation efforts, they are back up to around 25,000 and Mountsberg has ten of them. That includes a very macho-looking fellow named Steve, who has a wicked set of bangs that flopped up and down when he loped toward our wagon.

The bisons obviously love the mix of grain and molasses Erica feeds them. My daughters laughed as Steve’s bangs bounced up and down like an overteased hairdo as he ran toward us, obviously looking for more granola.

“Wow, where else can you get this close to bisons,” I said to my daughters.

After our ride, we headed to the bird sanctuary where we met Echo, the owl and Duchess, the kestrel falcon and learned how they are cared for.

Back in the car, we headed off to Crawford Lake to see the longhouses. Chief Topleaf had drawn a crowd as he shared stories about First Nations culture.

After a quick game of lacrosse, which showed off my less than athletic abilities at the game, it was time for a walk around the lake. For all the fun activities we enjoyed, the best part of each park for us was the natural beauty of the surroundings and Crawford Lake was no exception.

It’s an absolutely gorgeous area and we were again reminded again of the hidden gems around us here in Burlington.

As we walked along the wooden boardwalk that wound through the trees, we could hear the lovely sounds of The Playford Players on the hammer dulcimer and guitar. There was nothing quite like seeing the reflection of those trees on the lake while being serenaded by the music.

From the smiling goats and majestic bisons of Mountsberg, to hiking the boardwalk around Crawford Lake, and the breathtaking trails of Hilton, I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend.

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SIDEBAR

On October 13 and 14 you can experience Fall into Nature by bus. It will run from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., starting at Kelso Conservation Area Info. tent. It includes a chairlift ride followed by a BBQ lunch then at 12.30 the bus will leave for Crawford Lake. At 2.30 you’re off to Mountsberg for a birds of prey demonstration and wildlife walk. The bus will leave for Kelso at 4 p.m. and arrive at 4.30 p.m.

Cost is $36 per person plus HST. Reserve your seat by calling 905-336-6684 or register online at www.fallintonature.ca. 

Guest Blogger - Denise Davy

"Denise Davy is a freelance writer who has lived in Burlington for more than 40 years. She is an award-winning writer who wrote news stories, feature articles and columns for The Hamilton Spectator for 26 years. She has travelled extensively and visited India, China, Japan and the Caribbean, thanks to being honoured with three national journalism fellowships. She now specializes in writing about travel, parenting, and health and women's issues. She is proud to call Burlington her home and lives here with her husband and their two beautiful daughters."  You can contact Denise through her web site and blog at www.denisedavy.com

Sweet Canadian Moments 2012

Maple Syrup and Springtime in Canada are synonymous for many of us. My mother, an adventurous foodie before foodie was even a word, used to actually tap the maple trees outside our home in Northern Ontario. Then the kitchen would be filled with maple perfumed steam for hours on end. The result was always very small in quantity but big in flavour. We would savour it, the more because it was so labour intensive to produce, poured on pancakes with sausages and bacon. That maple fog that filled the house remains one of my favourite childhood sensory memories.

It isn’t necessary to go through the hard work of maple syrup making to enjoy the sweet rewards, however. Spring in Burlington offers several opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of maple syrup without all the work.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

At Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Fresh Ontario Maple Syrup will be yours to savour every weekend in March. At Bronte Creek, the costumed interpreters will demonstrate how to tap the trees, and how to make maple syrup and maple sugar.

During the Maple Syrup Festival, a wagon will take visitors to a heated pancake shack for fresh pancakes, sausages and, of course, maple syrup. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while learning a little history, and to taste a bit of our most delicious heritage.

The maple syrup festivities are open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every weekend in March. For more information call 905-827-6911 or visit their website.

Maple Festivities at Mountsberg’s Maple Towne

Maple Towne at Mountsberg presents a delicious celebration of our national spring obsession, with a traditional sugar shack, steaming kettles of boiling sap, and tasty treats to sample. You can savour pancakes, with maple syrup, naturally, in an outdoor pavilion.

Visitors learn about the process and history of maple syrup and gain an insight into the life of our ancestors through displays and demonstrations, and can also experience an authentic horse drawn wagon ride through the sugar bush. In addition to the maple syrup activities, there are visits to the play barn and demonstrations of amazing birds of prey at the nearby Raptor Centre. Or take a leisurely hike along the Wildlife Walkway where you may come face to face with an owl or hawk.

Sweet Water Season at Crawford Lake

At Crawford Lake, you’ll see how native peoples produced ‘sweet water’ or maple syrup. On guided hikes, you’ll learn how maple trees were tapped and you’ll get to sample delicious cornbread dipped in fresh maple syrup. Afterwards you can tour the restored 15^th century Iroquois village and its longhouses, then make crafts, watch a video presentation or enjoy walks along the boardwalk that circles Crawford Lake or along the many hiking trails.

Maple Towne at Mountsberg and the Sweet Water Season at Crawford Lake take place weekends to April 9, 2012 on weekends and holidays.

(Hint: Maple Syrup is very popular! There are always line-ups to get in to these activities, especially during March Break. My suggestion is to be there when the doors open at 10 am. Check the website for times, dates and admission prices.)

A Brief History of Maple Syrup

When you visit Mountsberg or Crawford Lake or Bronte Creek for the Maple Syrup Festivals, you will be participating in an activity that has been central to culinary life since, some say, before recorded history.  Native peoples knew the qualities of maple sap, even if they did not have the iron pots for concentrating the sap into syrup. They would use it as a sweet drink or a hot tea.

Early settlers, with their wooden buckets and iron pots, developed techniques for concentrating the sap. After that, maple syrup and maple sugar became staples that could be found on every table during the 17^th and 18^th centuries when other sugars were in short supply. And the sugar shack became an important gathering place in springtime. Here, great clouds of maple steam made the shack toasty warm, and if you were lucky you could try out the syrup, or enjoy the ‘taffy’ formed when the hot thick syrup was poured on snow.

Everything’s better with a Little Maple Syrup!

Pick up a bottle of this year’s vintage of maple syrup from the gift shops at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake and use it generously. Here are a few suggestions for adding maple syrup to your cooking:

·         Pour it, of course, on pancakes, french toast and waffles but don’t forget to put a bit on the bacon during the last few minutes of cooking.  It gives a sweet glaze to the bacon that is irresistible.

·         Add maple syrup to softened butter, mix and chill.  Serve the maple butter on sweet rolls or raisin bread.

·         Sweeten your apple sauce with maple syrup instead of white sugar.

·         Use it to sweeten your tea or coffee.

·         Add it to baked beans.

·         Glaze squash, sweet potatoes or carrots with some maple syrup.

·         Pour over ice cream for an easy and delicious dessert.

·         Serve it with corn fritters.

·         Sprinkle maple sugar on top of your grapefruit.

·         Drizzle maple syrup or maple sugar on top of hot oatmeal.

Be creative! Maple syrup partners well with many dishes.  And it’s good for you. While it has the same number of calories as white sugar or other sweeteners, maple syrup contains iron, calcium and thiamin.

Maple Syrup and Royalty

In a recent exposé posted by a sneaky reporter who posed as a footman and gained access to Buckingham Palace, it was revealed that, on the breakfast table shared by the Queen and Prince Philip, was a silver jug full of Canadian maple syrup.

In fact, the top maple syrup producers have been sending cases of maple syrup to Buckingham Palace for decades, to please the royal sweet tooth. And a truffle maker in Fredericton last year shipped his popular maple flavoured truffles, in a specially designed maple box, to the Queen. Rumour has it that Canadian maple syrup will be on the menu for the wedding breakfast for Kate and William that Queen Elizabeth will be hosting for the couple and their closest friends.

Classic Facts about Maple Syrup

·         It takes 30-50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup .

·         Maple syrup can be concentrated further to produce maple cream, maple sugar, and maple candy.

·         A gallon of maple syrup weighs 11 pounds

·         Usually a maple tree is at least 30 years old and 12 inches in diameter before it is tapped.

·         As the tree increases in diameter, more taps can be added to a maximum of four taps.

·         Tapping does no permanent damage and only 10 percent of the sap is collected each year.

·         Many maple trees have been tapped for 150 or more years.

·         Each tap will yield an average of 10 gallons of sap per season, producing about one quart of syrup.

·         The maple season may last eight to 10 weeks, but sap flow is heaviest for about 10-20 days in the early spring.

·         Maple syrup comes in different grades:

o   "fancy" grade - is the lightest coloured

o   "commercial" grade is the best syrup to use in cooking because it is rich in flavour

© Barbara Ramsay Orr – @Orracle, guest blogger

Barbara Ramsay Orr is a freelance journalist, author of the Frommer's Guide to the Niagara Region, third edition (2010), Day Trips from Toronto for Globe Pequot and a lifetime resident of Ontario. Her work has appeared in many national and international publications, including Chatelaine, Canadian Living, The Globe and mail and Readers Digest. She is the Local Expert on Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wine Country for Nile Guides, and is launching a travel app for Niagara Falls and on International Wine and Food Festivals. She has been the food writer for Hamilton Magazine for more years than she wishes to admit. You can follow heradventures, tune in to her tweets @Orracle, or visit her Niagara Falls andNiagara-on-the-Lake Blogs.