Ready to end winter on a sweet note?
Maple Syrup around the state is about to spring to life. All around central Ohio, you’ll find various farms hosting Maple tours and festivals, encouraging visitors to get up close and personal with the process of turning sap into syrup.
Most of the festivals are free or included with your admission. there are plenty of places to learn how historical figures once harvested this invaluable resource.
Jeffrey Woods Festival
Where: Clifton Shelter House at Jeffrey Park, 165 N Parkview Ave, Bexley, OH 43209
When: February 22 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and March 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About: Bexley is inviting visitors to celebrate the Bexley Arboretum at the Jeffrey Woods Festival. Here, visitors will learn about the process of turning maple sap into maple syrup. In addition to all things syrup, the festival on March 1 will also feature axe sharpening, a sawmill demonstration, woodworking projects, and more! The festival is free to attend.
Website: Jeffrey Woods Festival
Malabar Farm Maple Syrup Festival
Where: Malabar Farm, 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843
When: March 1-2 and 8-9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
About: Head up to Malabar Farm to experience the sugar camp at Malabar Farm. Here visitors will find live historical demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, food, and delightful maple products you can buy. This event is free to attend.
Website: Ohio Department of Natural Resource
Maple Syrup Tours at Dawes Arboretum
Where: 7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark, OH 43056
When: February 22-23 and March 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
About: Walk along the trails at Dawes Arboretum to learn about the many ways that syrup has been made throughout the years. While there, you can take a peek inside the Log Cabin, taste a sample of syrup, and more. Tours are first come, first served, and tour groups will leave every 15 minutes from 1 p.m. to 2:45. The tours are included with your admission to the Arboretum.
Website: Dawes Arboretum
Maple Sugar Celebration
Where: Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Road
Delaware, OH 43015
When: February 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
About: Stratford for a self-guided exploration to celebrate this special time of year. From farm to forest discover the early signs of spring. Celebrate the maple sugar season as you walk the Storybook Trail out to the Sugar Shack where you’ll learn how to tap a tree, taste maple sap and syrup, observe the cooking process, and more.
Website: Stratford Ecological Center
Maple Sugaring in the Hills
When: March 8-9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center, Hocking Hills State Park
About: Head down to the Naturalist Cabin located behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center to savor the taste of the season: maple syrup. You can learn all about the various ways maple syrup has been made throughout history, as well as take a guided hike. The event is family-friendly and free to attend.
Website: Maple Sugaring in the Hills
Maple Time
When: Slate Run Metro Park
Where: February 22 and March 1-2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
About: Join Metro Parks down at Slate Run Metro Park for their maple syrup festival! Visitors will learn how to tap trees, boil sap, and more. You’ll also get a chance to taste some of the fruits of your labor since there’s a syrup tasting!
Website: Facebook
