Media Advisory - Enjoy the sweet life at the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival

- GTA to get a little sweeter from March 6 to April 11 at annual event celebrating a Canadian tradition -

TORONTO, March 1 /CNW/ - Tap into nature at the 42nd Annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival, the GTA's longest running and most popular maple syrup festival. At last year's festival more than 50,000 visitors came out to experience this truly Canadian tradition and more than 60,000 pancakes with maple syrup consumed. The festival runs in two locations just north of Toronto at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan and Bruce's Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville.

The festival celebrates the coming of spring and the sights, sounds and tastes of a Canadian heritage that sprouted from an age-old tradition of the First Nations people who first used the syrup for food and medicine. Now, Canada is the largest producers of the world's maple syrup production. Maple syrup is a pure natural product that supports environmentally responsible land use. The festival itself helps to support the work of Toronto and Region Conservation to help people understand, enjoy and look after the environment in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Festival will include food and drinks, fun for all ages and lots of entertainment including daily self guided activities at both locations: maple syrup demonstrations, syrup sampling, horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides and petting zoo (at Bruce's Mill only). There are also hour-long daily maple syrup guided walks.

Throughout the day visitors at Kortright will be entertained by a variety of activities including: a birds of prey demo, Earth Rangers Animal Show, face painting, The Doug Barr Children's Show, Nature Stories, and new this year, strolling unicycle and juggler performances. The Easter Bunny also makes its visit on April 4 from noon- 2 pm. At Bruce's Mill visitors will get to see presentations and live animal displays from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, and performances from Robert Davis Children's Music Show, The Doug Barr Children's Show, strolling unicycle and juggler performances, face painting, word carver demo, balloon artist, and an appearance by Dora the Explorer on the weekend of April 10-11

Both locations offer March Break activities for families looking for fun outdoor activities and programs. For a complete schedule of events, please visit http://www.maplesyrupfest.com

    
    WHEN:   March 6 - April 11
            9:30 am - 4 pm
            Bruce's Mill open Wednesday thru Sunday, March Break and
            Easter Monday
            Kortright open daily

    COST:   The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for kids and seniors. Children
            four and under are admitted free with their family and 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(R), 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

For further information: For media registration and interviews contact: Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation, T: [phone] ext 5632, C: [phone], E: [email protected]