Maple season well underway in Essex County

With maple season in full swing across Essex County, the John R. Park Homestead is in the middle of their annual Maple Festival this weekend and last.

Hundreds of people flocked to the popular historic site this past weekend for week one of the Maple Festival as the Essex Region Conservation Authority celebrates all things maple.

Lumberjack Weekend was the theme March 9-10 and featured vendors, demonstrations and plenty for families to do. There was even a lumberjack-style beard-growing contest.

Among the stations throughout the homestead property were tree tapping, modern and pioneer-style evaporators, crafts, blacksmithing and sawmill demonstrations.

John R. Park Homestead curator Kris Ives and her staff had the property set up for easy access and flow for visitors wanting to experience the maple season.

This weekend — March 16-17 — the Maple Festival continues with Tasters’ Weekend with samplings of baked goods, maple butter, maple sugar and more. Taste various syrups and learn how they make the grade. Butter tart contest, winter hikes, crafters’ market and the Maple Market are all featured this weekend as well.

For more information, visit the John R. Park Homestead Facebook page.