Maple sugarin’ events are set at Riveredge

Although there is time before maple sugar season begins, Riveredge Nature Center in the Town of Saukville has announced its lineup of activities.

More than 400 maple trees are tapped at the center each year, and the sap they produce is used to make more than 75 gallons of syrup.

More than 2,000 people participate in maple sugar programs at the center annually, and more than 1,000 pancakes are served with syrup produced at the center during its programs each year.

“From Sap to Syrup,” a program intended to teach people ages 18 and older the process of creating syrup from identifying and tapping the trees to creating and bottling syrup, will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

The fee for All-Access members is $10, for Trail Pass members is $15 and for nonmembers $25.

The deadline for registration is Feb. 24.

Families are invited to tap the maple trees from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

There is no fee for All-Access members. The fee for adult Trail Pass members is $5 and for children 12 and younger $3, and for nonmembers it is $9 for adults and $7 for children 12 and younger.

Registration is required by noon Feb. 25.

The Maple Sugarin’ Scouts weekend will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12.

  The Maple Sugarin’ Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18.

Families will hike a half-mile trail through the maple forest trading nature-items for maple candies, collecting wood cookies with a maple brand from a blacksmith and completing a sappy scavenger hunt. At the Sugarbush House, they will listen to live music, sip sap tea or maple-sugar rimmed beer and enjoy pancakes and pickles while learning how syrup is made.

Registrations are recommended but not required.

The fee for All-Access members is $5, Trail Pass members $7 and nonmembers $10.

The annual Pancake Breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2.   

Registrations are due March 31.

The cost is $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.

For more information or to register for any program, visit riveredgenaturecenter.org or call (262) 375-2715.

Riveredge is at 4458 Hwy Y.