Get Sap Happy This March at Bowdoin Parks Maple Weekend

It's time to get sappy.

When March rolls in Hudson Valley maple syrup fans know what time it is. It's maple sugaring season!

What is Maple Sugaring?

So what exactly is maple sugaring? You may have seen some buckets strung along your favorite maple trees in the Hudson Valley. These trees are tapped and waiting for sap to be produced and then turned into Maple Syrup.

The Maple Sugaring Process

According to CTMaple.gov, creating maple syrup is a 5 step process:

1.Seasonal Prep
2. Knowing When to Tap The Trees
3. Identifying Trees That Need to Be Tapped
4. Collecting Tapped Sap and Processing it by Boiling/Evaporating
5. Filter. Grade. Pack the Sap.

Maple Syrup Makes Us Sappy

Dutchess County Parks announced the news that Sap Happy Maple Weekend returns to Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. Things will kick off on Friday, March 25th and wrap up on Sunday, March 27th.

There are a handful of fun events that are perfect for your maple syrup loving family. Take a look at the official Sap Happy Weekend line-up:

• Pancakes in the Park Drive-Through for Senior Citizens: March 25th 11:30am-2pm. FREE, pre-registration required by calling 845-486-2555.
• Story Walk with Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton: March 25-27, 10am-5pm near the Sugar house. FREE, no registration required.
• Hands-On Public Maple Education Classes: March 25-27, sessions at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. $5 per person, limit 20 per session. Register at DutchessNY.gov/Parks.
• Bowdoin Park Maple Syrup Menu at Farmers and Chefs Restaurant: March 25-27, while supplies last.
• Sean’s Waffle Food Truck at Bowdoin Park: Saturday, March 26th, 10am-1pm near Pavilion 5.

And while supplies last throughout the weekend you can purchase Bowdoin Park made maple syrup for $5 for 3.4oz or $10 for 8oz. bottles.

Parks Director Sandy Washburn said in a statement:

We truly enjoy hosting Sap Happy Maple Weekend at Bowdoin. It is a great opportunity to showcase the facility, our Park Staff who oversee maple production, and the Park Naturalists who lead maple workshops.

For more details and what to expect from each event, visit DutchessNY.gov/parks.

Lets get to tapping!