Maple Sugaring Days Held This Weekend in St. Charles

Maple Sugaring Days will be held this Friday and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 7W700 Dean St. in St. Charles. 

Forest Preserve District of Ken County naturalists will show visitors how to tap a maple tree, and visitors will also have the opportunity to try their hand at drilling and setting their own tap, according to a forest preserve district press release. 

"We’ll explore the art, science and folklore of the 'sugar bush' or maple grove, from early Native American times to the modern sugaring industry," according to the news release. "We’ll also simmer sap over an open fire and watch as it thickens to syrup." 

The forest preserve district will also hold a “Sugarin’ Time” hike where residents can learn how to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees. This program, which is free, is one of the forest preserve district’s most-popular nature programs.  

Maple Sugaring Days programs are perfect for families, scouts, groups, or anyone looking to enjoy some time outdoors, after a long, especially snowy winter, according to the press release. 

For more information Maple Sugaring Days, visit the Kane County Forest Preserve District website.