Sweet season

Maybury Farm Maple Syrup Tours return

A rite of spring will be celebrated at Maybury Farm this year as the annual Maple Syrup Tours return. 

Maple Syrup Tours will take place Saturdays and Sundays from March 11 through April 2. The tours begin with a tractor-pulled wagon ride into the woods to see how maple trees are tapped, and watch and taste the sap run. This is a walking trip into the Sugar Bush, so visitors should be prepared to walk a short distance, the farm manager explained.

Visitors will return to the farm by wagon ride and be taken directly to the Sugar Shack to see how the sap becomes maple syrup. Spile, tap, evaporator, filter, hydrometer, arch, sheeting - visitors will learn what all those devices have to do with creating the sweet treat. A little history and science will accompany the syrup processing and a sampling of freshly made maple syrup.

Visitors can also enjoy a visit with the farm animals while at the farm, organizers said.

After the tour, visitors can warm up in the Maybury Farm General Store where hot drinks and snacks are available to purchase. Pure Michigan Maple Syrup is also available for purchase along with free recipes which use maple syrup.

The cost for the popular event is $10 per person, with children 2 and younger admitted at no cost with an adult. Group tours are available for any group of 15 or more paid admissions.

Space is limited for each tour and visitors are asked to be at the wagon loading area 15 minutes prior to the assigned tour time, late arrivals cannot be accommodated. The wagon ride to and from the Sugar Bush is included in admission.

Appropriate dressing for the unpredictable Michigan March weather and shoes comfortable for the walk into the wooded area are advised. The outdoor walking tour is sometimes wet and snow covered.

Tours depart on the half hour from 12:30 until 4 p.m. when the last wagon leaves for the wooded area. The tours are dependent on the weather visitors should call to ensure the tours are scheduled in the event of freezing temperatures, high winds or ice. Closure will be announced on the website as soon as possible.

Reservations are not required and tickets are sold at the door. Space for the popular tours is limited, organizers advised, and tickets usually sell out quickly.

Maybury Farm is located at 50165 Eight Mile Road in Northville and is operated by the Northville Community Foundation, a registered 501 c 3 organization. The farm entrance is about a quarter mile past the state park entrance off Eight Mile Road.

For more information, call (248) 374-0200.