Maple-sugar tapping flows into upcoming maple festivals

Western Pennsylvania's maple-syrup production typically is already starting to wind down by the time the region's annual maple festivals are gearing up.

But, as everyone knows, it hasn't been a typical winter. Because of the extreme temperatures, there's a good chance that those who tap the maple trees and boil the sweet sap into maple syrup will miss the harvest celebrations.

Susan Decker, president of the 21-member board of directors of Meyersdale's Pennsylvania Maple Festival in Somerset County — one of the largest and oldest festivals in the state — says the season got off to a slow start because of sub-zero temperatures in February.

“They'll still be working in the sugar camps while we're having the festival,” Decker says.

The 68th annual Meyersdale festival will run March 21, 22 and 25 to 29.

In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on historical, educational and hands-on activities “rather than the county fair or carnival themes,” Decker says.

Inside the festival park, there will be period demonstrations by Civil War and World War II re-enactors and replicas of an old-time doctor's office, cobbler shop and general store, complete with penny candy.

Special events will include an antique auto show, horse-pulling contest, tractor games, agricultural fair exhibit, truck and motorcycle show, antique-tractor and farm-machinery show and pancake dinners hosted by the local Lions Club.

Maple products for sale will include Somerset County-produced syrup and maple-flavored treats such as cotton candy, taffy, popcorn, lollipops, coffee and tea.

“It's really a one-stop, something-for-everyone festival,” Decker says.

Meg Scanlon, an interpretive naturalist for Allegheny County Parks Department based at North Park, says the success of the maple-syrup industry is completely dependent on weather conditions.

“Every year, weather is a major concern for commercial producers,” she says. Ideal temperatures are below freezing at night and at or above 32 degrees during the day.

Pennsylvania — which ranks third in maple-syrup production behind New York and Vermont — is home to seven native varieties of maple trees. The best trees to tap for syrup are sugar and black maples, whose sap contains a higher percentage of sugar than the rest, Scanlon says. It takes 30 gallons of sap to yield 1 gallon of syrup.

North Park's Latodami Nature Center is one of three Allegheny County parks offering maple-sugaring events. North Park's “How Sweet It Is” maple syrup-making demonstrations will be March 21.

Maple Syrup Tapping at Round Hill Park Visitors Center in Elizabeth and Maple Sugaring Festival at Boyce Park Nature Center in Plum will be March 14.

In addition to demonstrations, visitors at the North Park event will learn how to identify trees and what they can do with household items and hand tools at home to tap their own maple trees.

Scott Detwiler, environmental educator at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Fox Chapel, agrees that the maple syrup-producing season will be shorter this year because of the long stretch of sub-zero days, but the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania locations at Beechwood Farms and Succop Conservancy in Butler will be ready to welcome visitors to their Maple Madness celebrations.

The special events will be held rain-or-shine March 21 at Beechwood Farms and March 28 at Succop Conservancy. Popular attractions at both festivals will include a walk in the woods, a presentation about the history and science of maple syrup and a pancake brunch.

Craig Falatovich, manager of the Audubon Nature Store at Beechwood Farms, says a variety of maple-related products will be available for sale during Maple Madness. They include Wagner's Maple Syrup made in Somerset County, available from half-pints to gallons, in Amber and Dark grades; ceramic syrup pitchers; stainless-steel spiles for tapping trees; and maple-themed decorative items.

In Beaver County, the 38th annual Maple Syrup Festival at Bradys Run Lodge is scheduled March 28 and 29. Along with entertainment, crafters, demonstrations and children's activities, a highlight of the festival is an all-you-can-eat buttermilk- or buckwheat-pancake breakfast.

Candy Williams is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.