When everything appears destined to remain brown and bleak – even if the groundhog says to bundle (and buckle) up for another six weeks – check in with the trees. They hold important info.
“Tapping maples for their sweet treat is one of the harbingers of spring,” says Renee Oakley, facility manager at the Fox Valley Park District’s Red Oak property in North Aurora. “Tired of the cold? This is a sign that the green’s coming back.”
And staff at Red Oak is ready for a seasonal celebration at Maple Fest, a tradition of more than 40 years that puts guests front and center to learn and experience the process of turning maple sap into maple syrup.
Held Saturday and Sunday at Red Oak, 930 N. River Road, North Aurora, Maple Fest features several one-hour time slots to choose from each day. Admission is $5 ages 3 and up, and guests are encouraged to register online in advance. Saturday’s program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with time slots 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 says. “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. Attendees can stop by Sapwood Corner to test their maple-tapping skills firsthand. An evaporator will be onsite producing sweet, smoky smells and maple syrup samples will be given at the end of each tour for registered attendees.
Additional refreshments will be available for purchase, including a four-sample flight with yummy Runamok maple syrups, including Hot & 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 FVPD’s environmental education supervisor and certified naturalist, says demonstrators will showcase the technology, or tubing system maple farms use, along with the traditional spile method. She 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 says. “It’s OK to come for the syrup and stay for the scenery.”
Want to experience the sweetness of Maple Fest? Pick a time that works best and we’ll see you this weekend in the woods!
