Maple Weekend
19 & 20 March 2016
Maple sugaring at the Paul Smiths VIC: VIC Sugar Bush. Photo by Tom Boothe. Used by permission.
The Paul Smiths VIC is joining with other maple producers in the New York State Maple Producers Association to offer a maple weekend on 19 and 20 March 2016.
- Weekend activities include a tour of our interpretive sugar bush, located near the intersection of the Skidder Trail and the Easy Street Trail.
- Visitors can also check out our VIC Sugar House, learn about maple sugaring, and sign up for the VIC's Community Maple Project.
- You are also invited to support the VIC by "adopting" a maple or buying a jug of delicious maple syrup made on site.
- Between these activities, enjoy a hearty bowl of soup and a roll, offered both days by Paul Smith's College culinary student Bill Rock.
In addition, the VIC is holding a hands-on Sap to Syrup Workshop from 9:00 AM to noon on Saturday. The workshop will allow participants to experience all aspects of the syrup making process. Participants will monitor sap quality, learn to work with reverse osmosis equipment, assist with the wood-fired evaporator, and draw off a finished batch of VIC maple syrup. The cost is $20 per person.
On Sunday, 20 March, former Paul Smith's College Professor Mike Rechlin will be at the VIC sugar house from noon to 2:00 PM to talk about his new book – Maple Syrup: An Introduction to the Science of a Forest Treasure. The book takes the reader through the what, where, when, and why of maple sap and its conversion to maple syrup, that all-so-appreciated product of the North American deciduous forest.
The goal of Maple Weekend is to provide an opportunity to teach the public about the production of maple syrup and other related products and to share the taste of real mouth-watering maple syrup with visitors. This event is designed to showcase the VIC's maple sugaring operation. The VIC is also holding another maple weekend on 2 & 3 April 2016. For more information, contact: Brian McDonnell, bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu
| Maple Weekend Schedule | |
| Saturday, 19 March 2016 | |
| 9:00 AM to Noon | Sap to Syrup Workshop: Preregistration required. Limited to 10 participants per session. |
| Noon to 2:00 PM | Student-led tours of the VIC Sugar Bush. Free. Plan on a two hour walk |
| Noon to 3:00 PM | Bowl & a Roll: A hearty lunch prepared by Paul Smith's College culinary student Bill Rock. |
| Ongoing | Maple syrup making demonstration in the VIC Sugar House. Free |
| Ongoing | Culinary uses of maple sap. Free |
| Ongoing | Maple confections for sale |
| Sunday, 20 March 2016 | |
| Noon to 2:00 PM | Student-led tours of the VIC Sugar Bush. Free. Plan on a two hour walk |
| Noon to 2:00 PM | Former PSC Professor Mike Rechlin will be at the VIC sugar house to talk about his new book – Maple Syrup: An Introduction to the Science of a Forest Treasure. |
| Noon to 3:00 PM | Bowl & a Roll: A hearty lunch prepared by Paul Smith's College culinary student Bill Rock. |
| Ongoing | Maple syrup making demonstration in the VIC Sugar House. Free |
| Ongoing | Culinary uses of maple sap. Free |
| Ongoing | Maple confections for sale |