During late February and through the month of March, it starts to get a little sweeter in Indy. That’s because this time marks the start of maple syrup season! Every spring, maple trees share their sap, which is then converted to maple syrup.
There are several opportunities to learn more about nature’s liquid gold around Indianapolis, and even better — lots of opportunities to taste it! Here are some fun, family-friendly events around town that celebrate maple syrup.
Homeschool Maple Syrup Field Trip
Date: Friday, February 25
Times: 10-11:30 am, 11 am-12:30 pm, 12-1:30 pm, 1-2:30 pm
Location: Bray Family Homestead Park, 4528 IN-38, Noblesville
Cost: Free
More info: hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Homeschool families are invited out to Bray Family Homestead Park for a field trip style program about making maple syrup, maple science, and history. The Bray family’s strong Quaker roots and history as one of the first settlers in Washington Township will lead us into a discussion about the Underground Railroad and maple syrup’s use as a ‘free-man’s sugar’. Please sign up for a one-hour tour. Enter the park from Hinkle Road parking lot. Groups will be picked up by a wagon and transported to the first station. Dress for the weather and potentially muddy conditions.
Maple Madness
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: 10 am-2 pm
Location: Bray Family Homestead Park, 4528 IN-38, Noblesville
Cost: Free
More info: hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Enjoy a day of sweet fun and learn about making maple syrup. See how to tap trees, boil the sap and make maple sugar. Guests can visit four staff-led stations related to maple processing and enjoy other event offerings.
Maple Syrup Event
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: 1-2:30 pm
Location: Southeastway Park, 5624 S. Carroll Rd., New Palestine
Cost: $6
More info: indyparks.org
Participants will explore the sugar bush, learn how maple syrup was made in the past, see it being made at the park and receive a tasty treat! Dress to be outside. Meet at the Activity Center. Ages 4+.
Sap to Syrup Day
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: Noon-3 pm
Location: Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis
Cost: $10
More info: indyparks.org
Celebrate the magic of maple trees! Stop by anytime between 12-3 p.m. to journey around to different maple discovery stations learning how to make maple syrup. Try a syrup taste test, complete a craft, and enjoy a delicious Sugar Maker’s Sundae. Registration required; $10.
Senior Maple Syrup Day
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 2 pm
Location: Southeastway Park, 5624 S. Carroll Rd., New Palestine
Cost: $5
More info: indyparks.org
Senior Maple Syrup Day is a program adapted especially for seniors (62+)! The program will be 100% outdoors and is wheelchair- and walker-accessible. Participants will learn about the sugar bush, the history of maple syrup, practice using tools, and get a tasty treat. Dress to be outside.
12th Annual Maple Syrup Days
Date: Saturday, March 5 & 12
Time: 9 am-3 pm
Location: McCloud Nature Park, 955 E. Main Street, Danville
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
More info: hendrickscountyparks.org
The sugar maple trees at McCloud Nature Park produce a sweet treasure throughout the winter months: sap with a high sugar content. Once the daytime temperatures start rising, the sap starts flowing, and park staff and volunteers begin collecting it. Pretty soon, they’ll have bottles of 100% all-natural maple syrup! Learn how volunteers know which trees to use, how they collect the sap, how they turn that natural sweetness into syrup and how maple syrup has been made in the past at this annual event.