For some, spring isn’t marked by a calendar date. It begins with maple syrup.

With freezing nights and warmer days, maple sap begins to flow, accompanied by pancake breakfasts, tree trails and syrup tasting.  

Stephanie Lero, executive director of Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township, said the return of maple season is as much about community as it is syrup.

“It’s just fun to see everyone gather and come out of the winter abyss that we had,” Lero said. “It’s a great tradition in the spring.” 

At Hale Farm & Village, maple tapping is a tradition that dates back centuries. The village will host its annual Maple Syrup Festival & Pancake Breakfast on March 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29. The event gives people the opportunity to wander the village, watch historic demonstrations and, of course, eat pancakes. 

Maple syrup festivals coming to Ohio state parks

The maple season is being celebrated across the region with themed festivities.

This year, Hocking Hills, Hueston Woods, Malabar Farm and Indian Lake state parks will have maple syrup festivals. The festivals are free and open to the public. Some events offer breakfast and maple products for purchase:

∎ Hocking Hills State Park (Logan) – Maple Sugaring in the Hills, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 14 and 15. Visit the naturalist cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave visitor center to see how sap transforms into maple syrup. Through live demonstrations, learn about the history of maple sugaring in Ohio. A local producer will be on hand with syrup available for purchase.

∎ Hueston Woods State Park (College Corner) – 59th Annual Maple Syrup Festival, noon to 4 p.m. March 7, 8, 14 and 15. Take a scenic hayride from the beach parking lot to a guided hike through the 200-acre “Big Woods,” a state nature preserve. Learn the science and tradition of syrup making, then treat yourself to local maple syrup and refreshments available for purchase. A breakfast buffet featuring pancakes will also be available at the lodge from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.; cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children 10 and younger.

∎ Malabar Farm State Park (Lucas) – 49th Annual Maple Syrup Festival, noon to 4 p.m. March 7, 8, 14 and 15. Experience a sugar camp with live historic and modern syrup-making demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, food, and maple products to sample and purchase. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the historic “Big House.”

∎ Indian Lake State Park (Lakeview) – Maple Syrup Festival, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22. Watch a live demonstration showcasing how sap is transformed into maple syrup. A pancake and sausage breakfast featuring pure maple syrup will also be available both days; cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children.

Maple syrup festivals in Northeast Ohio

In addition to the Hale Farm & Village events, here’s a look at some other festivals going on in Northeast Ohio:

∎ Geauga County Maple Festival, April 23-26. More information: www.maplefestival.com.

∎ Maple Sugaring Weekends at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Feb. 28, March 1, 7 and 8. More information: www.lakemetroparks.com/events-activities/events.

∎ Maple Sugaring at Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation, Maple Grove Picnic Area, Feb. 21, 22. More information: https://buff.ly/yIYT9K3 or Facebook https://tinyurl.com/5n8kvjxe.

∎ Geauga Parks Sap’s-a-Risin’ Maple Sugar Festival, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 22 and March 1 and 8. More information: https://tinyurl.com/kuws286h or Facebook https://tinyurl.com/3xaxmn3t.

∎ Summit Metro Parks Maple Mania Open House, March 7, 8, 14 and 15. More information: www.summitmetroparks.org/programs-events.

∎ Ohio Maple Producers Association’s Maple Madness Tour is March 7, 8, 14 and 15. This is a self-guided driving tour to visit dozens of maple farms and producers in several regions of Ohio. More information, including a tour booklet and map: www.ohiomaple.org/maple-madness.html.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: ‘It’s a great tradition in the spring.’ Maple syrup season returns to Ohio

Reporting by Abreanna Blose and Karen Sidaway, Canton Repository / The Repository

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