UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Festivalgoers can celebrate the beginning of spring, learn about the maple sugaring process and enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast during the Maple Harvest Festival at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center on March 26 and 27.
The Maple Harvest Festival returns to Shaver’s Creek for the first time since 2019 and will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27. Attendees can also learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees, see sap transform to syrup, watch costumed interpreters demonstrate sugaring techniques, enjoy live music and animal programs, and scale the climbing wall.
Visit the Maple Harvest Festival website for more details and to purchase tickets, which are required and can only be purchased in advance online.
Laurie McLaughlin, who oversees the festival, says she’s looking forward to bringing the community together again.
“I’m excited for everyone to come together and enjoy the festival, this place and our community,” she said. “Just connecting with our own Shaver’s Creek community and all those who come back to enjoy this place. It’s the people that make it fun.”
More than 10,000 pancakes, 20 gallons of maple syrup and 32 pounds of coffee are typically served during the two days, according to McLaughlin. Shaver’s Creek procures 60 gallons of milk, 100 pounds of butter, 75 dozen eggs, 250 pounds of flour, 50 pounds of sugar, 20 pounds of baking powder and 12 pounds of salt.
Penn State students taking RPTM 297: interpreting maple sugaring to families, which McLaughlin teaches, will show visitors how to identify and tap sugar maple trees, and demonstrate sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers and modern-day farmers.
Students also lead several other interactive teaching areas, including the tree identification station, tapping station, collection station and a visit to the Sugar Shack. Shaver’s Creek environmental education interns and volunteers also help at the festival each year.
Admission to the festival, which includes the pancake breakfast, is $5 (ages 12 and older) and $3 (ages 6-11) for members and $10 and $6, respectively, for nonmembers. Admission for children ages 5 and younger is free.
Read more about the Maple Harvest Festival on the Shaver’s Creek website. Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is a Penn State Outreach service.