March events on tap begin this weekend
Kingston, N.Y. (March 3, 2011) – The taps are flowing. The maple sugar taps in Ulster County, that is. Now that daytime temperatures are warming while the nighttime temperatures are remaining below freezing, the sap is moving. From now through the end of March, experience the frontier tradition of maple sugaring in the Catskills. Come and tap a tree, eat something sweet and learn from the experts in the beautiful wooded mountains of Ulster County.
Take part in a Northeast tradition that started with Native Americans well before Eastern Woodlands tribes experienced the earliest of European settlers. With buckets hanging from the taps in our trees, now is the perfect time to come try the delicious taste of maple syrup and to learn about how it is made at these events:
Maple Fest at Ashokan Center
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, March 5
A tree-tapping experience for all ages in an old-time setting. Tap a tree, learn the history of syrup making, watch sap turn into syrup, take the taste test and enjoy the winter treat “jack wax,” which is a combination of heated maple syrup and snow. There will be activities and special events all day including: live music; hands-on colonial crafts such as blacksmithing, tinsmithing and broommaking; living history programs; naturalist-led walks into Cathedral Gorge; Covered Bridge and other interpretive walks along Ashokan trails; Maple syrup-inspired food and drink. For more information go to www.ashokancenter.org or call (845) 657-8333. Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, N.Y.
Mohonk Preserve Kids’ Day in the Sugarbush
1-3 p.m., Sunday, March 6
Join the Longbothams, a family of Mohonk Preserve volunteers, for a short hike and a sweet treat as you join in the fun of maple sugaring. Be ready to tromp through the snow or mud, help out in the sugarbush, and learn how to make syrup just like generations of families have done. Children ages 4 and up are welcome. This program includes an easy, 1-mile hike. Wear boots and warm clothing. Materials fee of $5 per person; non-members, ages 13 and up, also pay a $10 day-use fee. Call for reservations, which are required, 845-255-0919. Payment is required at the time of registration. For more information go to www.mohonkpreserve.com. Mohonk Preserve, 3197 Route 44/55, Gardiner N.Y.
Maple Sugaring at Frost Valley
9 a.m.-5 p.m., March 19 and 20; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., March 26 and 27
Visitors to the Maple Sugar House will experience all the elements of sugaring including a snowy forest hike, brisk mountain air, melting snow, the scents of good soil, swelling buds, tapping trees, collection of sweet sap, the heat of a good wood fire, the steam of evaporating water and the sweet taste of arriving at 67 percent sugar content maple syrup. Free tours run every half hour at the Maple Sugar House. Frost Valley’s Maple Weekends give families a way to experience maple sugar season firsthand. Learn to identify a good sugar maple tree, tap the tree, boil sap to make delicious maple syrup and traditional sapping techniques to modern day practices. For more information, go to www.frostvalley.org, email info@frostvalley.org or call 845-985-2291. Frost Valley YMCA, 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, N.Y.
Photo: Representatives from the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge test the grade of the syrup at last year’s Maple Fest.
