Ooey, gooey, sweet, syrupy goodness awaits your arrival at The Dawes Arboretum on our sixtieth annual Dawes Maple Syrup Day!
A nod to the cofounders, Beman and Bertie Dawes, Maple Syrup Day has memorialized the practice of harvesting sugar maple trees for their sap since 1919 - over 107 years ago. You can be a part of our history by attending the 60th Dawes Maple Syrup Day!
It’s a community favorite for all visitors: the nature lovers who enjoy walking our winding paths, the sweet tooth connoisseurs who are there for the delicious tastings and the history buffs who are endless lifelong learners. On Dawes Maple Syrup Day, we have something for everyone.
Maple Syrup Day will be held on February 22 from 12 - 4 pm. The best part? This event is included within admission.
For the Nature Lover:
- Take a guided walk with an expert at Dawes along the Maple Syrup Trail who will teach you about the many ways syrup has been made throughout Dawes’ history.
- Experience hands-on tree tapping demonstrations surrounded by the quiet and calm of the woods around you while learning about the history of The Arboretum.
For the Sweet Tooth Connoisseur:
- Are you looking for the perfect winter treat? Indulge in your sweet tooth while tasting different tree syrups (maple and hickory) at The Arboretum’s log cabin.
- We’re so excited to host Sips & Sticks Co, a food truck with waffles on a stick, custom Dawes drinks and more!
- If you can’t get enough sweetness at The Arboretum, you’ll also get the opportunity to learn how to practice maple syrup tapping in your own backyard!
For the History Buff:
- Along the walk, you’ll find authentically costumed staff acting as live interpreters who will show you what it was like maple syruping in the 1920s and 1970s at The Arboretum.
- When you’re inside our Visitors Center, you’ll find crafts and a historical photo slide show from our archives that shows what maple syrup day was like in the past 60 years.
- To memorialize your experience, visit our gift shop, where you’ll be able to buy maple syrup and maple syrup products to take home and remember this day.
We’re excited to welcome the community to a unique experience of history, nature and trees at the sixtieth anniversary of Dawes Maple Syrup Day. To learn more about the event, please visit the event listing.
Please note, this event may be canceled at short notice in the event of inclement weather. Please check our social media channels for information ahead of time.
The cover photo was taken with permission from Stephanie Anthony.