The annual Maple Syrup Festival and Pancake breakfast is set for February 24th and February 25th at SIU's Touch of Nature Environmental Center. Director J-D Tanner says staff started tapping maple trees in January and this weekend visitors can see huge drums boiling off the water to make the syrup. In addition to seeing up close how the sap is turned into syrup, attendees will also be able to see a variety of artisans and vendors. Steve Gariepy a program coordinator in environmental education, says blacksmiths from the art department at SIU will be on hand as well as a lumber jack demonstration by the Forestry club at SIU. Tree identification hikes will also take place both days of the festival.
For more information about the annual Maple Festival and Pancake Breakfast, browse to: http://ton.siu.edu/events/maple-syrup-festival.php
To learn more about Sugar Maples, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website, at: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/publications/documents/00000696.pdf
