Last week, I told you about the Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village that was this weekend and next weekend, March 24 & 25, 2012. My family spend the entire afternoon at Hale Farm this weekend and had a fantastic time. It didn’t hurt that it was an unseasonably warm 74 degree day!
Maple Sugar Festival Review
We started our day learning all about how maple syrup was made at their camp. I was surprised to learn that the ladies with old children would take a trip to gather and cook the maple syrup for weeks at a time. They would live in make shift camps for a couple weeks at a time while they collected and processed the maple syrup. Then, they would trade it for other supplies they needed. It was also interesting to note that all of the cleared areas at Hale Farm are not where there maple sugar trees were located!
[slickr-flickr tag=maplesugar]Pancake Breakfast at Hale Farm & Village
The Bob Evans Pancake Breakfast is served until 3pm for this event. We enjoyed 3 delicious pancakes, 3 sausage links, fresh apples and apples, as well as an assortment of juices and coffee. We were stuffed with the breakfast, however I believe you could have additional food if you asked. The pancake syrup was Bob Evan’s hot maple syrup, delicious! They also had sugar-free syrup.
[slickr-flickr tag=pancakeshale]Hale Farm & Village
Admission to the Maple Sugar Festival gives you access to the entire farm and village. We were able to see the blacksmith hard at work, as well as many characters throughout the village doing their tasks. We were able to visit and tour all of the houses and buildings and learn about each one.
My kids’ favorite house was the 1810 house, the oldest on the property. The owner had 9 kids in this 1 room house and the kids slept in the attic. I was surprised that it was a very large room but would quickly get cramped with 9 kids!
[slickr-flickr tag=halefarmandvillage]My favorite building was the school house. I’ve never been in a one-room school building. Learning about how the kids would bring their own fire wood daily, how they were disciplined, and even how they only attended in the Summer and Winter was very interesting to me. What I really like about Hale Farm & Village is that the characters really engage the visitors, young and old. My kids were able to ask as many questions as they wanted and the characters were eager to answer. What an incredible way for kids to learn about history!
Throughout Hale Farm & Village, we were introduced to various ways maple sugar was used. We were able to sample fresh maple syrup at the store, it was a thin liquid that was naturally sweet. At the 1810 house, we were able to sample fresh maple sugar candy. My kids loved it!
[slickr-flickr tag=maplecandy]There are plenty of opportunities to take in nature and all the animals at Hale Farm and Village. My kids explored every creek, yard, and garden. From the oxen to the chickens to the frogs in the ponds, my kids had a blast getting up close to the creatures of Hale Farm.
[slickr-flickr tag=halefarmoutside]Speaking of the 4 year old oxen, they need named! You have the chance to win a Family Hale Farm & Village Membership. Submit your historically appropriate name for the oxen on the Hale Farm & Village Facebook page or in person at the Maple Sugar Festival. If your name is chosen, you could win the family membership! The winners will be announced on April 1, 2012 on Facebook and on the Hale Farm & Village website.
Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village Dates
The Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village is from from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on March 24-25, 2012. Pancakes are served until 3:00 pm.
Buy Tickets to the Maple Sugar Festival at Hale Farm & Village
You can buy tickets to the Maple Sugar Festival on the Hale Farm & Village website. No reservations are necessary. Admission is $15 adults; $10 Children (age 3-12); $5 WRHS Members. Group discounts are available. You can find discount coupons at Bob Evans Restaurants. Maple Sugar programs are available for school children March 19-23, 2012.
You can even take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Maple Sugar Express to the event!
Hale Farm & Village
2686 Oak Hill Road
PO Box 296
Bath, Ohio 44210
330-666-3711
1-877-HALEFARM
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