It's Sap Time At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

With all the winter storms pummeling the nation, it's hard to believe that spring really isn't too far off for many parts of the country.

At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that will be evident next weekend when the National Park Service and the Millbrook Village Society present a maple sugaring demonstration at Millbrook Village.

The demonstration is scheduled for March 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Show up for the event and you'll be able to join park rangers and volunteers as they celebrate the approach of spring with the North American tradition of maple sugaring.

American Indians, early settlers, and their descendants all looked forward to collecting and boiling the sap of locally abundant sugar maple trees. Visitors will be able to see and participate in the “sugaring” process from the tree to the table. Sap from Millbrook Village maples will be boiled down in cast iron kettles over an open fire to create syrup and maple “sugar.” Woodstove and outdoor cooking demonstrations will showcase the use of maple products in recipes common during the 1800s.

Admission is free. In case of severe weather, the program will be held on Saturday, March 16.

Millbrook Village is located in New Jersey at the intersection of Old Mine Road (12 miles north of Interstate 80 from Exit 1 in New Jersey) and Route 602 (seven miles west of Blairstown, New Jersey).

For more information, call park headquarters at (570) 426-2452, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or visit the park’s website.