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Sweet Spring
It's maple syrup time – time for the unique sweet taste and promise of spring just around the corner.
Luckily for us, in Elgin County, the native trees and weather patterns are favourable for maple syrup production. There's no better way to take advantage of that good luck, than with a visit to the sugar bush. Two local spots offer opportunity to taste, see how the sap is made and join in some outdoor activity.
Palmer's Maple Syrup
Every Saturday and Sunday in March, Palmer's Maple Syrup is abustle with families enjoying shanty tours, self-guided woods excursion, pioneer storyteller, log-sawing, and maple leaf branding. And best of all, there's real maple syrup, pancakes, waffles and other delicious edibles. Palmer's have been producing maple syrup for the past 55 years and serving up fun and breakfast at the festival for the past 12 years.
Springwater Maple Syrup Festival
The Springwater Maple Syrup Festival has entertained crowds of visitors every March for more than twenty-five years. Visit Springwater to see live demonstrations and exhibits of the processing of maple syrup, from its early beginnings to the modern-day methods. Special events occur every weekend in March and during March Break (March 15 – 19). Enjoy the demonstrations and activities for children, sweet samples, a hearty meal at the Pancake House, horse-drawn wagon rides and a Children's Festival on March 27th.
Check out the events listings for time and location details on each of these festivals.
Then, why not take some of the syrup home for some culinary creativity. Maple syrup, with its distinctive flavour, has become a favourite ingredient in a wide range of dishes. Check out Ontario Maple (http://www.ontariomaple.com) and Foodland Ontario (www.foodland.gov.on.ca) for recipe ideas from Maple Braised Apples & Pork, to Maple Crème Brulee.