As released by Dauphin County.

Dauphin County to Host Annual Maple Sugar Festival on March 2 at Fort Hunter Park.

HARRISBURG, PA (February 28, 2014) – Dauphin County will host its annual Maple Sugar Festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 2 at Fort Hunter Park. This free and interactive event has children’s activities plus “tap-a-tree,” real maple syrup on ice cream, and maple syrup making. Activities will be held in the barn, tavern and stable at the park.

Participants can experience maple taste tests, watch an educational DVD on maple sugar activities, shop for delicious PA maple products, see how 40 gallons of maple sap is boiled down to 1 gallon of syrup and learn the Native Americans’ method for making maple sugar. Visitors can also try drilling holes for tree tapping with an old-fashioned brace and bit.

In the tavern’s summer kitchen, visitors will learn how spiles, the wooden taps through which sap flows from the tree to the bucket, were once made. Visitors can also learn about various methods of tapping trees and collecting sap. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the demonstrations of maple candy making and the chance for a free sample. A concession stand will be selling lunch and snacks.

For more information, please visit www.DauphinCounty.org or call 717-599-5188. Connect with Dauphin County Parks and Recreation at Facebook.com/DauphinCountyParksRecreation and Twitter.com/DauphinParksRec.

Fort Hunter Park is located six miles north of Harrisburg at 5300 N. Front St. It is owned and operated by the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department.

Photo/Natalie Cake