Sweet Winter Festival - West Coast Maple Syrup

 

Duncan – Taste the unique flavour of West Coast maple syrup at the BC Forest Discovery Centre.  The Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival features demonstrations, maple tasting, and mini-workshops led by Vancouver Island maple syrup producers.  The event will be held on Saturday, February 7th from 10 am to 4:30 pm in partnership with the Sapsuckers, a group of local maple syrup producers.  “Last year’s event had an overwhelming turnout of 1,400 visitors,” says Aimee Greenaway, the Centre’s Program and Collections Coordinator.  “Many of those people went home and tapped their own trees to make maple syrup.”

 

Visitors are invited to participate in mini-workshops facilitated by experienced maple syrup producers, including tapping demonstrations, presentations and displays.  “Last year the maple syrup competition had entrants from all over the island and Vancouver,” says Gary Backlund, local maple syrup producer.  “The competition has expanded to four prize categories this year and we are happy to have celebrity chefs Bill Jones and Mara Jernigan on the judging panel again this year.”

 

The Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival is unique on Vancouver Island.  “This event is about the local maple syrup industry,” says Backlund.  “It’s the only festival where visitors can find out how local maple syrup is made and leave the festival ready to tap maple trees in their own backyard.”  Extra workshops will be offered to allow more people a chance to participate.  This year’s maple tapping season is underway on Vancouver Island and the sap should continue to run until the beginning of March.

 

Musical entertainment will be provided by Ed Peekeekoot from 11:00-3:00 and the museum’s train will be running every half hour from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.

 

The BC Forest Discovery Centre is offering a special admission rate of $5 for everyone, including train rides and a taste of local maple syrup provided by the Sapsuckers.  Members may use their season’s pass.

 

Contacts:               Aimee Greenaway,

                                Program and Collections Coordinator

                                (250) 715-1113 extension 25