OLIVEBRIDGE, N.Y. The Ashokan Center’s Maple Fest takes place on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will offer guided hikes to the sugar shack or self-guided nature walks across the center’s miles of trails.
It will feature an outdoor campfire as well as a blacksmithing demonstration. For an additional fee, visitors can make their own projects.
Live music will be played throughout the event, as well as sugaring demonstrations and a pancake lunch.
The event will demonstrate how maple syrup is made, and will also show the history of maple syrup production that dates back centuries to Native Americans who lived in the Northeastern Americas prior to European colonization.
While the Ashokans syrup will be available in full pitchers at the event, the center noted that sap is not always flowing from the trees and that the shack isn’t steaming at the time. In a press release, they blame climate change.
According to the Ashokan center’s statement, the sugar shack was a busy place for decades. From February to April, the maple sugaring apparatus ran, gravity-fed saplines gurgling, and steaming as eager students and others who came to see the process. According to the release it is now cool and will remain so for much of the season.
The Center has had to shift the festival’s focus to educate visitors about maple syrup making and share an environmental lesson.
“Its easy to argue any one extreme weather eventan unusually strong hurricane, an arctic blastis just an anomaly and not due to any long-term climate variation. Increasingly, however, farmers, ski resorts, birders and anyone whose business depends on dependable seasonal fluctuations have observed consistent changes in how our environment is changing year by year,” The Ashokan Center said in a press release.
Blacksmithing is the only exception to this rule. All activities will be held outdoors. It is encouraged that guests practice social distancing and wear face coverings when they are around others. There are no pets or dogs allowed on the premises.
Tickets for general admission are $15; $5.50 for ages 5-12, and free for children under 5. Admission includes hot pancakes. Lodging is available.
For more information, click here visit https://ashokancenter.org/product/maple-fest-2022/