Sweet Tradition Meets Milestones - Maple Sugaring Days are March 1-2 at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve

GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites you to join the 30th annual Maple Sugaring Days, a sweet and historic celebration of all things maple, on March 1-2 from noon to 3 p.m. at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.

Naturalists will demonstrate how to tap a maple tree and give you the chance to drill and set your own tap. Watch sap simmer over an open fire as it transforms into syrup. Outside, enjoy learning about the history of maple sugaring, while inside Creek Bend Nature Center, you can sample pure, local maple syrup. Syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last.

This year’s festival is extra special, as it marks two major anniversaries: the Forest Preserve District’s 100th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of Maple Sugaring Days. To celebrate, we’ve added a new highlight to the event: Riverlands Brewing Company has collaborated with the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation to create a special Maple Replay Imperial Stout, brewed with the same locally sourced maple syrup featured at the event from Funks Grove, Ill. The beer will be available for purchase at the beer tent, and a portion of the proceeds will support nature education and other programs funded by the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation.

Maple Sugaring Days wouldn’t be complete without some delicious treats! Visitors can purchase maple sundaes (ice cream topped with maple syrup), hot chocolate, and maple-glazed donuts inside the nature center. Please note that the Maple Café items and Sirup Store are cash-only for this event. Special thanks to event sponsors Culver’s of St. Charles and Original Country Donuts of Elgin.
 
Admission is free and no registration is required. LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve is located at 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles.

For more information, call 630-444-3190, visit www.kaneforest.com, or find the Forest Preserve District of Kane County on social media by searching @forestpreserve.