You might think you’re too late, but you are not! You still have time to catch some Macomb and Oakland County Maple E
vents! Oh and for your enjoyment, I found this little diddy! 🎼
Macomb and Oakland County maple events
MSU Tollgate Farm Maple Tapping and Pancake Feast
Location: MSU Tollgate Farm (28115 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, MI 48377, 248-347-0269
Dates: Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th from 9 am to noon each day
You’ll start out with a meal of pancakes covered in Tollgate syrup accompanied by sausage and coffee and hot chocolate! Then you’ll jump on the hay wagon out to the sugar bush to participate in a tree tapping, visit the colonial sugar camp, watch sap get turned to syrup in the sugar shack and check out Max the draft horse getting to work!
A hands-on, maple-flavored event for the whole family!
Location: Wolcott Mill Metropark (65775 Wolcott Road, Ray, MI 48096-1823, 586-749-5997
Dates: March 9 – 10, 16 – 17, 23 – 24 & 30 – 31
Take a guided walk through the farm’s sugar bush. Learn how to pick the right tree, then watch how maple trees are tapped and sap is collected. Stop by the French and Native camp to hear and see how these techniques have changed through the years. Then visit the sugar shack to see and smell the sap being boiled down into maple sugar. You will even get to taste a sample of maple syrup at the end of the tour. Real maple sugar products and pancakes will be available for purchase. Tours begin every ½ hour, last approximately one hour and are entirely outdoors. Dress for the weather.
Location: Stony Creek Metropark – 4300 Main Park Rd, Shelby Twp, MI 48316, 586-781-4242
Dates: March 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
It’s maple syrup season! Join us for Maple Sweetness where you will learn how to identify and tap a maple tree and discover how sap becomes maple syrup. There will be syrup taste-testing and a sweet treat after the program. Maple items and kits will be available for purchase.
Location: Maybury Farm – 50165 Eight Mile approximately 1 ¼ miles west of Beck, Northville Twp, MI 48167)
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, March 2nd through March 31st – 4 Sessions – 1 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm
Take a hayride to the Maple tree grove, tap the trees, bring sap back to the evaporator and watch how maple syrup is made. Your family will not only see all of the steps in producing maple syrup but they will also take part in the process. Maple syrup and maple syrup products for purchase in the General Store in the Welcome Center. Dress warmly and boots are a must. Call 248-374-0200 for cost info and registration info.
Maple Sugaring – Sweet Science
Location: Indian Springs Metropark – 5200 Indian Trail, White Lake, MI 48386, 248-625-6640
Dates: Sunday, March 10th from 11 am – 2 pm
Explore the science behind sugar solutions like syrup, watch a viscosity race, test your sweet tooth on different kinds of sugar, and find out what the water cycle and surface tension have to do with your pancakes. Once you’ve enjoyed the experiments, take a journey out to the woods to see the tapped maples and the sugar making in progress. Be sure to purchase some Michigan maple syrup before you go. All Ages. Please preregister, 248-625-7280. $5. ALSO March 16 (same times)
Location: Orchard Lake Schools
Dates: Sunday, March 10th at noon, 1 pm, or 2 pm (3 sessions)
Celebrate the start of spring with a maple syrup pancake brunch. The event will be hosted by the Polish Mission of Orchard Lake Schools and West Bloomfield Parks. Guests will see a historical sap to syrup demonstration, learn about the other benefits of maple trees and enjoy warm pancakes topped with local maple syrup. The event also includes – tree identification, maple sugaring history, Native American crafts, a bucket coopering demonstration, and an interactive nature table. $8. Pre-registration required at https://www.wbparks.org/maplesugaring.html
Sap to Syrup Pancake Breakfast
Location: Van Hoosen Museum – 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48306, 248-656-4663
Dates: Saturday, March 16th (3 sessions – 9 am, 10 am or 11 am)
Visit the Museum at Van Hoosen Farm to see an old-fashioned sap-to-syrup from trees tapped right here in Rochester Hills. Sample some real maple syrup and enjoy a pancake breakfast complete with sausage, juice, and coffee. When purchasing tickets, please specify which sessions you would like to attend. Tickets are limited so purchase yours early. For more info/cost info, call 248-656-4673.
Monster Maples
Location: Cranberry Lake Park – 388 W. Predmore, Oakland, MI 48363
Dates: Sunday, March 17th from 1 pm – 2:15 pm & 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm (2 Sessions)
Explore the history and techniques of tapping maple trees to collect sap which is turned into maple syrup. Indoors, learn important tips such as how to identify a maple tree and how many taps can be placed in one tree. Outdoors, practice tapping trees and even take a taste of sap as it flows (sap is dependent on weather conditions). Inside, taste maple syrup and an authentic Native American recipe. Each family will receive a spile to take home. Must pre-register in advance. 248-651-7810.
Location: Wolcott Mill Metropark – 65775 Wolcott Road, Ray, MI 48096-1823, 586-749-5997
Date: Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th from 11 am – 4 pm (each day)
Learn the process of turning maple sap into syrup as you visit different stations throughout the park. Make a craft, taste test syrup and warm up by the bonfire. The blacksmith shop will be open and working. Enjoy French toast, sausage and real maple syrup throughout the day for an additional charge. Maple items and kits will be available. Cost is $3/child or $5/adult. A Metro parks vehicle entry permit is required for these events. Vehicle permits are on sale NOW. You can pick one up at metroparks.com OR visit your local Metropark today.
So I hope you have a great time and that this has been helpful!! Take a look around our other blogs and you may find other interesting things to do in our local area. 🙂
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