MEDIA ADVISORY - Tap into Spring at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

 - Festival runs from March 1 to April 6 at two great locations in the GTA -

TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Celebrate the sweetness of springtime at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival which kicks off on Saturday March 1 and runs until April 6. The festival attracts thousands of visitors annually to celebrate the flowing of sap and the making of pure maple syrup a truly Canadian tradition. Festival goers will discover the magic of traditional and modern maple syrup production while enjoying live entertainment, Maple Syrup Walks, samples, children's activities, horse drawn wagon rides, a visit to the Sugarbush Shop and of course enjoy delicious pancakes with pure maple syrup! Throughout the day both locations will have family-friendly activities and entertainers including face painting, balloon artists, and magic shows.

The festival takes place at two locations just north of Toronto; at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan and Bruce's Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville, just east of Markham. Both locations will be open daily during March Break with activities for families looking for fun outdoor activities.

Kortright Centre for Conservation will host a special Maple Syrup by Lamplight evening on Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. This special evening begins with a guided twilight tour of Kortright's Maple sugar bush! Taste real maple syrup, visit the sugar shack and learn about old fashioned and modern methods of maple syrup production. Also enjoy a warm campfire and a fire-side treat! Advance Tickets Required. Costs: Adult - $12, Member - $10; Child/Senior - $6, Child/Senior Member - $5; Family - $30.00. To purchase tickets call 416-667-6295.

Bruce's Mill Conservation Area will host special Senior's Day on Tuesday, March 25 from 9:00 am to 1:00pm. Cost:  $7.50 (includes HST) - Price includes entrance fee, guided tour and pancake breakfast. Tour Times from 10:30 am to 12:30pm

Pure maple syrup is, in most cases, a great example of sustainable food. Properly tapped and well-tended trees can yield sap for more than 100 years, and many families have been producing maple syrup from the same group of trees, or sugarbush, for generations. Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is proud to continue to bring the festival to the public for the past 47 years. The festival supports the work of TRCA to help people understand, enjoy and look after the environment in the Greater Toronto Area.

For a complete schedule of events, please visit http://www.maplesyrupfest.com

WHEN:	March 1- April 6
	9:30 am – 5:00 pm
	Bruce's Mill open Wednesday to Sunday, March Break (daily)
	Kortright Centre for Conservation open daily, March Break (daily)
COST:	The cost is $10 for adults and $6.50 for kids, students and seniors.  Children four and under are admitted free with their family and Conservation Parks Members are free.  Parking is $4 per vehicle at Kortright Conservation Centre and free at Bruce's Mill.
WHERE:	Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr Vaughan, ON
	Bruce's Mill Conservation Area, 3291 Stouffville Rd, Stouffville, ON

About TRCA
With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look after the natural environment.  Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity. For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca or www.kortright.org. Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival Facebook fan page.

SOURCE: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Media Contact: Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Public Relations, Toronto and Region Conservation, T: 416.661.6600 ext 5632, E: [email protected]