Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast, a Northeast Ohio Tradition at Hale Farm & Village
For Immediate Release, (BATH, OH) — — Experience the process of maple sugaring past and present at Hale Farm & Village on March 13, 14, 20 and 21, 9:00am-4:00pm.
Guests are invited into the sugar bush to experience the history of the maple syrup process. The 19th century village is open to experience outdoor demonstrations including tree tapping, oxen talks, a sugaring camp and the process of boiling sap into syrup. Historic crafts and trades including glassblowing, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving are also demonstrated throughout the day. A hearty pancake breakfast including; pancakes, sausage links, fruit, coffee, juice and milk (provided by Acme Fresh Markets) will be available to eat on-site or carry-out.
Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast at Hale Farm & Village. Photo credit: Nancy Balluck
For centuries the Maple trees on the Hale’s family farm provided sap to be processed and sold or consumed. Guests at the festival will be able to learn this history and tradition first hand. C. O. Hale, the grandson of Western Reserve pioneer Jonathan Hale had a keen interest in all aspects of farming, including tapping the sugar maple trees on this farm. He supervised maple syrup production from his sugaring chair, on display during this event. Custom-built to his specifications, the tall chair allowed C. O. to view the boiling of sap from the perfect vantage point, high above the steaming evaporation pan.
“This year will look a little different, but we are happy to welcome guests back to this fun family event,” explains Catherine Sterle, Acting Director at Hale Farm & Village. “We are taking extra safety precautions by requiring advance reservations with timed admissions, face coverings and social distancing. Most programming will also take place outdoors and we are offering a carry-out option for breakfasts.”
The Marketplace at Hale Farm & Village will be open for shopping during the event, featuring Ohio made maple products including syrup, candy, sauces and snacks. Handcrafted at Hale hand-blown glass, pottery, iron work and wool items will also be available along with many other Ohio made and maple sugar season souvenirs.
The museum is open from 9am to 4pm, admission for breakfast and all activities is $17 for adults, $11 for children 3 – 12 years of age, and $7 for pancake breakfast only tickets (breakfast is served until 3 pm). Museum only rates are available. Reservations are required and a limited number will be sold for admission each hour with final admission at 2:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.halefarm.org. For more information contact Hale Farm at 330-666-3711 or visit our website.
The 2021 Maple Sugar Festival is proudly sponsored by Acme Fresh Market and Bissell Maple Farms.
###
Nestled in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley, Hale Farm & Village is northern Ohio’s premier outdoor living history experience. At Hale Farm & Village, the past comes to life through a combination of living history, art and architecture, artisans, farming and gardens. The museum features thirty-four historic structures, heritage breeds of livestock, gardens, crop fields, early American craft and trade demonstrations, and a year-round calendar of educational programs and community events that explore the American experience.
Hale Farm & Village is a property of the Western Reserve Historical Society. For GPS directions use 2686 Oak Hill Rd. Peninsula, Ohio.
Top photo: The Shire team from Trail Light Farms helps in the sap collection process.
Photo credit Nancy Balluck
Press Release submitted by:
Catherine I. Sterle | Acting Director
Hale Farm & Village
2686 Oak Hill Rd. Bath, Ohio 44210
P.O. Box 296
[email protected] | 330.666.3711 x 1715
Hale Farm & Village, a living history museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society, is located on 90 acres in Bath, Ohio with 32 historic structures, farm animals, heritage gardens, farming and early American craft and trade demonstrations. The location is open for a summer season June – August, Wednesday – Sunday; weekends only September and October; and signature events or educational programming during other times. Visit www.halefarm.org or call (330) 666-3711 for seasonal hours, program listings, rental information, and to become a member. 2018 marked Hale Farm & Village’s 60th anniversary as a museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Over the past couple of years, we have visited Hale Farm & Village during the Maple Festival. Besides enjoying a delicious plate of pancakes and sausage, we spent the day learning how trees are first tapped, then how they boil the sap to make syrup. We also stepped back in time to see how crafts and trades were done during the 19th century.
Here are a few #MyOhioFun Road Trip notes:
- Dress for the weather. After a delightful pancake breakfast, you are going to want to venture out and visit the various demonstrations.
- Make sure you visit the The Marketplace gift shop before you leave. You will find Ohio Maple products, as well as handcrafted pottery, hand-blown glass items, wool items, and more.
- Parking is free.
- Just down the road in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Everett Road Covered Bridge. Depending on the weather, the bridge makes for great photos.
- Want to make it a day of fun? The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers special rides to Hale Farm for the Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast. Tickets are required. Advance purchase is suggested.
After purchasing your tickets, head to the pancake window and pick up your plate of delicious pancakes. Coffee, tea, and orange juice are also available.
When we were there, this little girl was peeking inside the collection container to see if she could see the sap coming out of the tree.
As you walk around the farm you will find many of the trees have collection buckets. 
There is a whole process to tapping a tree.
It’s amazing to learn how much sap is required to make one jar of syrup.
Through out the Village additional craftsman are sharing their crafts, and how things were made on the Farm in the 19th century.
#MyOhioFun Road Trip article and photos: Diane Rock
Rocky Hill | MyOhioFun.com
Editor’s note: Part of this story ran in 2020. The dates and additional events have been updated for the 2021 season. Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.