March is Maple Syrup Month at Bronte Creek

Centuries ago, North America's native peoples discovered how to make maple syrup from the sap of maple trees. The art of making maple syrup has evolved over time, but the result is still the same - sweet, pure maple syrup.

March is Maple Syrup Month at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. From 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. on weekends throughout March, and daily during March Break (March 7 to 14) Bronte Creek will hold its annual Maple Syrup Festival. This is an opportunity for young and old alike to experience the tradition of making maple syrup. The festival takes place at Spruce Lane Farm near parking lot F in the park.

The Information Tent, staffed between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on festival days, is a great place to start your visit. Here, you can find the answers to your questions about the festival, and learn about the facilities and services offered by the park.

Next, you might join an historical interpreter on a guided walk along the Syrup History Trail. Each stop along the trail demonstrates a different era in maple syrup production. From the introduction of tree tapping to the advent of modern tree tubing you will understand the significance of maple syrup to southern Ontario. The Syrup History Trail is short and is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. All guided tours begin at the Information Tent near parking lot F.

After you've learned about the history of maple syrup making, plan to go for something sweet in the Candy Shanty. More than a century ago, native people relied on loaves of maple sugar for energy during the winter months when other food items were scarce. Settlers also enjoyed maple sugar as a sweet treat that was carefully rationed. Watch a sugaring-off demonstration and the making of fresh, pure maple sugar candy. At the Candy Shanty you may purchase samples of maple sugar candy for only 50 cents, which is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Maple Gift Store is located in the same building as the Candy Shanty and offers a wide range of maple treats - including maple syrup, maple sugar candy, maple lollipops. The store also offers Ontario Parks merchandise, key chains, and toys for children. Maple candles, butter, and popcorn will certainly make any home smell as pleasant as the syrup season! Also available are sugar maple tree seeds, buckets and spiles to grow a real tree to tap in your very own backyard.

After watching the demonstrations in the Candy Shanty and purchasing some sweet maple treats, find a seat on a bale of hay in the Logging Theatre and take in a film on maple syrup production in Canada. View an Outdoor Life Network production that examines modern maple syrup production in Quebec and features sugaring-off activities at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

Make new friends with the farm animals at the park. There are horses, cows and pigs at Spruce Lane Farm for you to befriend as well as feed. This year, the Maple Gift Store will sell carrots for visitors to feed the livestock. Be sure to visit our peahens and resident peacock, Percy. Treat them with feed available from the machine next to their pen.

Step back in time at Spruce Lane Farmhouse. Built in 1899, and restored to reflect the Victorian Era, the farmhouse is the perfect example of life in the Halton region at the turn of the 20th century. There are guided tours of the farmhouse from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the festival. An historical interpreter will show you how the Breckon family lived and explain the fascinating history of the home. Ask your interpreter about other upcoming special events at the farmhouse.

Experience the fun and adventure of an old-fashioned, tractor-drawn wagon ride down an historic lane. Wagon rides are available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on festival days.

The Pancake House is situated in the Breckon shelter next to the Information Tent. At the Pancake House you may purchase piping hot, fresh pancakes and crispy bacon. The small pancake meal includes two pancakes, two pieces of bacon and a beverage. The large meal includes an additional pancake and strip of bacon. Of course no pancake meal would be complete without 100 per cent pure maple syrup, so bring your appetite and enjoy a true piece of Canadiana.

Other sights to take in during the Maple Syrup Festival include the Nature Centre, Children's Farm and Playbarn.

The Nature Centre, open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., features aquariums and terrariums containing animals found in southern Ontario. The Children's Farm features domestic farm animals including goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and Winston, our resident donkey. Kids - aged 10 and under - can tumble, slide and romp in a century-old barn that has been converted into a Playbarn. Although the barn is not heated, there is a heated viewing room available for parents. The Children's Farm and Playbarn are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the festival. The Nature Centre, Children's Farm and Playbarn are all located near parking lot C.

Bring your family on weekends in March or during March Break (March 7 to 14) to experience the tradition of making maple syrup. Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located one kilometre north of the Queen Elizabeth Way on Burloak Drive in Oakville. For more information call (905) 827-6911 or visit our website at www.OntarioParks.com.

Photographs by Robert Moos