Maple Fest at the Randolph School

New York, whose state tree is the sugar maple, has a long history of producing the sticky amber syrup. On March 9, the Randolph School in Wappingers Falls will host a tour of the traditional maple-sugaring process that takes place in early spring, from sap to syrup. Samples of the classic maple sugar candy Jack Wax Taffy, also known as “Sugar on Snow,” will be available, and there will be live music and storytelling. Scavenger hunts, screen printing, a crafts market, face painting, games, and hikes on Randolph’s forested property will round out the day’s festivities, and a fundraiser pancake lunch highlighting the weekend’s main attraction will offer a sweet finish to the day. Tapping trees, boiling sap, and making maple syrup has been a part of the Randolph School’s winter curriculum for decades, and their Maple Fest event has been met with warm reception by the community, with nearly 450 people attending last year. Randolphschool.org/maplefest

This article appears in March 2013.