Oaklee's Family Guide Spring 2015 | Page 15

Maple Syrup Events March 14 & 15, 1-4pm Maple Sugaring Saint Charles: 630-762-2721 www.kaneforest.com LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St. The sap’s rising! Join us in the time-honored tradition of maple tapping. We’ll explore the art, science, and folklore of the ‘sugar bush,’ or maple grove, from early Native American times to the modern sugaring industry. No registration required. FREE Weekends, March 14-29 12:30-2:30pm Maple Syrup Hikes Riverwoods: 847-968-3321 www.lcfpd.org March 21 & 22, 10am-3pm Maple Syrup Festival at NPV Chicago: 312-744-5472 www. chicagoparkdistrict.com North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. Come and see the entire maple syrup-making process from tapping the tree and collecting the sap, to boiling it down into syrup. Take a walk through the sugar bush, enjoy storytelling, make a maple craft, warm yourself by the fire, and taste real maple syrup. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Rd., south of Half Day Rd. Take a one-hour hike with a naturalist and learn how sap from the sugar maple trees is turned into sweet maple syrup. Everyone gets a taste. Hikes rune every half-hour from 12:30-2:20pm. Please register. $6/ person. March 21, 9am-1pm Maple Fest Batavia: www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/facilities/red-oak-nature-center/ Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S. River St. Watch how maple sap is turned into delicious maple syrup, and learn how people through the ages and even animals like woodpeckers, have tapped maple trees for maple sap. Programs begin on the hour: 9, 10 & 11am; noon & 1pm. Maple-themed snacks and hot beverages available to purchase. Groups of 10 or more please register. Oaklee’s Family GuideTM for Chicagoland Contests, Features, Fun! #kids#chicagomoms #oakleesfamilyguide 15 Spring 2015