Media Release
For Immediate Release
A Taste of Spring!
Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival, April 7 & 8, 2018
UTOPIA, Ontario (March 26, 2018) – Come celebrate with a taste of spring at the annual Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation, April 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
“Each year we tap hundreds of sugar maples in our 10-acre sugar bush,” said Byron Wesson, director of land, education and stewardship services with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA). “The Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival, hosted with the Rotary Club of Barrie, is a great time for families to come out and enjoy this start to the season.”
Maple syrup takes centre stage at the festival, with a pancake and sausage breakfast served daily until 2 p.m. Costumed re-enactors will be on hand to demonstrate pioneer and First Nations methods of making maple syrup, and Tiffin’s sugar shack will be open for visitors to see how syrup is made today. Tiffin maple syrup and other Simcoe County maple products will be on sale.
Other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, live music, visits with local fire and police officers, and a “Zoo to You” animal show. For a small materials fee of $5, visitors can build a bird feeder to take home. Tiffin’s scenic hiking trails will be open, with long and short paths for hikers of all abilities.
All-inclusive admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under, and free for infants (cash only please).
“Barrie Rotary is pleased to once again host the Spring Tonic Festival. Funds raised help us to support many worthwhile community projects,” said Rotarian Jody Patfield. “Environmental restoration projects in partnership with the NVCA, Christmas Cheer, and enhancements to the Royal Victoria Hospital are just some of the many projects supported by the Spring Tonic Festival.”
The Tiffin Centre is located 10 minutes west of Barrie at 8195 8th Line of Essa, 4 km south of Highway 90 – watch for the signs. Visit nvca.on.ca or call 705-424-1479 for more information including maps and directions.
