One of the most popular – and tastiest – events of spring in the Cataraqui Region makes its long-awaited return.
Cataraqui Conservation’s Maple Madness festivities will once again attract thousands of area residents and visitors to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area to celebrate the onset of spring and the history, heritage and ongoing allure of the maple sugar/syrup-making process.
The 2022 edition of Maple Madness runs all weekends in March, as well as every day during March Break (March 14 to 18), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $3.50 for children. Capacity limits are in place for this event, online registration is required to attend.
Ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 do mean that the activities and presentations normally associated with Maple Madness will be scaled back, but there is still a lot to see and experience – especially the return of fresh pancakes!
Available activities include:
- Self-guided Sugar Bush tour. Visit our interpretive stations where staff, students, and community volunteers will teach you about the process of making maple syrup.
- Story Walk: take our walking route and enjoy fun information stations while walking back to the Sugar Bush (20 to 30-minute walk).
- Wagon rides: Pick-up and drop off at the Outdoor Centre and the top of the hill at the Sugar Bush. First wagon is at 9 a.m. and last wagon back to the sugar bush is at 2:30 p.m.
- Sugar Shack: Pancakes, hot and cold drinks available for sale.
- Maple Shop at the Outdoor Centre: maple syrup, candy, and merchandise for sale.
Staff have worked closely with KFL&A Public Health to put on this event. We have a small team that runs Maple Madness, so we ask visitors to abide by the protocols to ensure everyone stay safes and healthy and has a wonderful family experience.
All visitors are encouraged to wear a face mask throughout their visit. Face masks must be worn on the wagons, and at the interpretive stations in the sugar bush. All high touch areas will be sanitized throughout the day as per public health requirements, and hand sanitizer stations will be set up at many points in the sugar bush and sugar shack.
Maple Madness runs rain or shine except in severely adverse weather conditions like a snowstorm, freezing rain event, or very high winds. If you are unsure, please contact us at the number below to check if the program is running, or if you have any health and safety concerns: Contact 613-546-4228 ext. 222.
For full Maple Madness program details and to register visit https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/maple-madness