Best Maple Syrup Events, Classes & Festivals in Central Indiana | 2016

It’s that time of year again! Time to tap the maple trees and get all of that delicious maple syrup! Listed below are events statewide that will entertain children and families of all ages many of which are FREE or affordable. Learn where maple syrup comes from and how it gets to your breakfast table. Please note some activities are homeschool or scouting specific.

Indy Parks

Pre-registration required. For registration and more information about Indy Parks programs call 317-327-PARK or visit the website.

Holliday Park

Brownie Girl Scout Winter Fun Day
February 20th – 12:30P- 3:00P
Fee- Scouts $12, Adults $4
Ages 7-9
Spend the afternoon cooking over a campfire and exploring the winter woods. Brownies start with a campfire lunch, then learn about making maple syrup and take a winter hike. Girls earn and receive a Maple Syrup Patch, as well as a Winter Fun Patch. Come prepared to be outdoors and indoors. Lunch is provided. Register through the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana at www.girlscoutsindiana.org/activities

Maple Syrup Sap to Syrup Day
February 27^{th –} 12:30P-2:00P
Fee -$7
Ages 2 and older

Come anytime during 12:30 and 2:00 to learn all about where maple syrup comes from and how it gets from the tree to your table. Hike the trails, learn about the process and even taste the deliciousness in a “Sugar maker’s Sundae”!

Homeschool Nature Day – Maple Magic
March 10th
10:00A-2:00P
Fee $12
Ages 6-12

Join us this spring as we journey through the wild to discover nature! Students learn through the use of live animals, hikes, games, and other fun activities. Homeschoolers will explore a different topic each visit. Sign up for an individual class or all of them for a discounted price! For children ages 6-12 years old.

Southeastway Park

Maple Syrup Season
Feb 16, 2016 to Mar 18, 2016, daily 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
$6
Ages 3 and up

Maple Syrup Season at Southeastway Park runs from mid-February through mid-March. During this time, the park staff run Maple Syrup programs that educate youth groups (school, scouts, homeschool) as well as the general public on maple syrup history, modern methods and production at the park. Call the park office at 317-327-4834 to schedule your group. Programs/tours are offered daily. Dress to be outdoors. Program is 1.5 hours long, call to request a time that works for you.

Homeschool Maple Syrup Day
February 24^th – 10:00A-12:00P – $6
February 24^th – 1:00P-3:00P – $6
Ages 3 and older

Homeschoolers will learn all about maple syrup extraction and processing, as well as the history surrounding this sweet treat! Make sure to dress for the weather, as you will be outside.

Maple Syrup Day
March 5th – 10:00A-12:00P
$6

Participants will explore the sugar bush, learn how maple syrup was made in the past, see it being made at the park, taste some real maple syrup and receive a tasty treat!
Dress to be outside. Meet at the Activity Center

Girl Scouts Maple Syrup Day
March 6^th – 10:00A-12:00P – $6
March 6^th – 1:00P-3:00P – $6
Ages 3 and older

Girl Scouts will learn all about maple syrup extraction and processing, as well as the history surrounding this sweet treat! Make sure to dress for the weather, as you will be outside. Please go to www.girlscoutsindiana.org to register.

Carmel Clay Parks

To register for programs visit: http://carmelclayparks.com/

Knee High Naturalist: Maple Syrup
Monon Community Center
February 4^th-25^th (4 Thursdays)
10:00-11:00
Fee: $24
Ages 18 months to 3 years

Children will dig in the dirt and explore nature while learning about maple trees, at the same time! The littlest explorers get down and dirty with the great outdoors while learning at the same time!

Other Greater Indianapolis Area Events

Homeschool Hikers – Let’s Make Maple Syrup!
February 23rd – 1:00-2:00
Ages: Best for school-aged children
Plan a break from the books to learn about nature and get your kids outside. We will discuss a particular topic and then explore the woods and prairie. Kids that spend time in nature are happier, healthier and smarter! Pre-registration: Preferred. Register by calling 317-774-2500 or emailing cool.naturecenter@hamiltoncounty.in.gov

Maple Syrup Program at Bray Family Homestead
March 5th
10:00-1:00Park staff will be demonstrating how maple trees have been historically tapped for the last 150 years by the Bray Family! They will demonstrate both traditional and modern equipment in the syrup extraction process. You can tour the maple grove, the “Sugar Shack”, and the Sugar Store for a complete tour that lasts approximately an hour.  The website warns that visitors should dress for weather and potentially muddy conditions! Pre-registration by calling 317-774-2500.

Hendricks County Maple “Sirup” Day
McCloud Nature Park
March 5th – 9:00-4:00
FREE
Learn all about the “sirup” extraction techniques of the Native Americans and early colonial settlers. Visit the maple grove, “sirup shack” and even sample some of the amazing 100% pure McCloud Maple Sirup!

Outside of Indianapolis

Parke County Maple Fair
February 27th-28th, 22^nd, March 5th-6th
“The folks of Parke County Incorporated, who bring you the Covered Bridge Festival, have another treat in store for you. At winter’s end, Parke County’s Maple Syrup Producers begin tapping the maple trees that provide sugar water for making maple syrup. Join in on the fun the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March at the Parke County Maple Syrup Fair™. Travel country roads with world famous covered bridges and tour maple syrup camps throughout the county. See how maple syrup is made down at the “sugar camp” and sample its wonderful flavor.”

Maple Syrup Festival at Sugarbush Family Farm
February 27th-28th and March 5th-6^th
Salem, IN
“LM Sugarbush, LLC is a 140 acre family farm located in scenic Salem, Indiana. Established in 1981 as Leane and Michael’s Sugarbush, the family owned operation is host to the annualMaple Syrup Festival. This year will mark the 24^th annual festival, which draws up to 12,000 people to the farm each February and March. The 2015 Maple Syrup Festival will be held onFebruary 27th and 28th & March 5th and 6th. Come enjoy the farm for some delicious pancakes and waffles, finger lickin’ good BBQ, toe tappin’ music, tours of the farm, craft and food vendors as well as many activities and games. Please visit the FESTIVAL page for additional information.”

National Maple Syrup Festival
Brown County State Park
March 5^th-6^th
“The National Maple Syrup Festival moves to Brown County, and March 5 – 8 will feature tree tapping, sap boiling, incredible foods and unique drinks using maple syrup as an ingredient. You’ve seen it in the fall, but you’ve never seen it like this.  March 5 – 8, come see what’s ‘sappening at the National Maple Syrup Festival!”

Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival
Wakarusa, IN
April 22nd-24^th
Food, family fun, vendor sales, free entertainment, a 5K walk/run and more! Check out the website for the full event listings.

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