Producing maple syrup, though technically simple, is a historied art form that dates back thousands of years in North America. Making everyone’s favorite pancake condiment signals the end of winter, beginning the steady march toward warmer weather. Making maple syrup is a process that can only happen at this time of year when temperatures fall below freezing at night yet rise above freezing during the day. And this is when you’ll find those involved in producing maple syrup holding festivals. Here’s a sampling of when they are happening.
Strawberry Hill’s Maple Fest
About 2 hours from Dulles
March 2–3Track the long history of North America’s sweetest treat, and sample freshly made candies at this outdoor festival. Learn how indigenous peoples tapped maple trees and processed maple syrup long before European colonial settlers arrived. Witness every step of the maple sugaring process, from tree identification and tapping to boiling and cooking with maple syrup. After you have the hang of it, test your newfound skills in the tree-tapping competition. Camp Eder: 914 Mount Hope Rd., Fairfield, Pennsylvania, $20 (age 13+), $15 (age 4–12)
Dauphin County Maple Syrup Festival
About 2.5 hours from Dulles
March 3, noon–4 p.m.
Maple delights await at this Pennsylvania festival. Try tapping a maple tree by hand and watching demonstrations of rendering maple syrup, which must be cooked to 219 degrees to evaporate the water and thicken the syrup in a delectable amber hue. There will be plenty of confectionaries to gorge yourself on, like freshly pressed maple sugar candies, syrup samples, and even maple syrup on ice cream. Fort Hunt Park: 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Highland County Maple Syrup Festival
About 3 hours from Dulles
March 9–10, March 16–17
Highland County, known as “Virginia’s sweet spot,” is home to the second-largest maple syrup festival in the country. Making maple syrup is more than just a job; it’s a heritage dating back over a century. Spanning the entire county, visit one of the 10 sugar camps to see how sap is harvested. When you are tired of regular maple syrup, try lesser-known varieties, like barrel-aged and infused syrups, and even hickory, birch, black walnut, and certified organic syrups. The festivities stretch across two weekends. The tours of the maple syrup operations are free. The weekends feature live entertainment, over 100 craft vendors, and family fun. Multiple locations
Frederick County Maple Syrup Festival
About 1 hour from Dulles
March 9–10, March 16–17
Make the drive to Maryland for this seriously sweet event held for more than 50 years. Watch demonstrations for boiling “sugar water” into maple syrup. Plus, there are plenty of activities for the little ones to enjoy. Go for a hayride through the Maple Grove or indulge in a plate of syrup-doused pancake breakfast with sausage. William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park: 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont, Maryland, $5 requested donation
Mountain State Maple Days
About 3 hours from Dulles
March 16, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Celebrate the yearly maple festival, which takes place across West Virginia on the third Saturday of February and March each year. For 2024, maple syrup producer Heasley Homestead Maple will offer tours of their sugar bush and sugar house, along with evaporation and bottling demonstrations. Don’t miss the cornucopia of West Virginia maple products for sale, including maple candies, walnuts, and maple cream. Multiple locations in West Virginia
Feature image courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation
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