Maple Syrup Festival

Fenner Nature Center will host its milestone 50th annual Maple Syrup Festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (March 22) and Sunday (March 23). The family-friendly event will offer hands-on demonstrations of the maple syrup creation process, including traditional and modern techniques. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch sap-boiling demonstrations, try their hand at tapping a tree, make their own spiles and test their strength while carrying a yoke lift.

The event will also feature pancakes made by Chris Cakes, a traveling catering company whose custom-made grill has earned it Guinness World Records for the most pancakes made in an hour and the highest pancake tossed and caught. For $10, attendees can buy a plate of all-you-can-eat pancakes — with maple syrup, of course. Attendees can also buy maple-flavored cotton candy and root beer, maple cream, maple candies and locally made maple syrup.

“The festival is a great way for people to connect the syrup on their table with the trees that provide it,” Fenner events and rental coordinator Rebecca Smith said. “Our mission at Fenner is to create ways for people to connect with the world around them. What better way to immerse yourself in nature than to walk through the process of collecting sap and creating so many wonderfully delicious treats, like syrup, maple cream and maple sugar or candy?”

Admission to the festival is free, with a $5 suggested donation. All purchases benefit Fenner Conservancy, the nonprofit that operates the nature center.