Mark Your Calendar For The Family-Friendly Maple Sugaring Weekend In Massachusetts

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a stunning place to visit any time of year. The area is rich with history, culture, and so much natural beauty. While most people choose to visit the Valley in the warmer months, there is also a lot of fun to be had here in the Winter, including a family-friendly maple sugaring event that will be taking place next month.

Attending the annual maple sugaring weekend is a great way to get the whole family outside and enjoy some time together. My family and I learned a lot and had such a good time when we went on a maple sugaring tour a few years ago.

The maple sugaring weekend is hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation.

The event takes place on Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park. It is free for all to participate.

Tours run about 90 minutes in length and will take place each day on the hour from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. I recommend arriving early as tours are first come, first served.

The tours are led by knowledgeable volunteers who will teach guests about the maple sugaring process from start to finish. Visitors will be able to see how a tree is tapped and learn how the liquid is collected.

The tour will also include a stop at the maple syrup house where guests will be able to see the next steps of the process in action.

Other highlights include a craft station, a Climate Change station, and a Junior Ranger station. There is also an interesting film that guests can watch.

And what maple-sugaring tour would be complete without a sweet sample? This one includes a taste of delicious maple tea!

Have you ever gone on a maple sugaring tour? What did you learn along the way? More information about this event can be found on the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor website. You can also enjoy more winter family fun at Wachusett Mountain and Ski Butternut. And if you are looking for some great maple recipes, be sure to check out The Maple Syrup Cookbook by Jean Legrand.