Maple Syrup Festival
Fresh Ontario maple syrup begins flowing at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on the first Saturday in March when the park's annual Maple Syrup Festival gets under way. The maple syrup festivities are open to the public from 9:30am to 3:00pm every weekend in March and March Break.
Enjoy a guided tour of Maple Lane, where interpreters costumed for the 1890's demonstrate different historical ways of collecting and making maple syrup. The tour ends in the middle of Spruce Lane Farm where you can learn how to make fresh maple sugar or enjoy a stick of delicious maple taffy before visiting the various farm animals in the yard.
Visit our family activity centre where kids can have fun and play lots of exciting games. Make sure you don't miss Spruce Lane Farmhouse, a living history museum that recreates life from 1899. Be sure to browse through the maple products and souvenirs available in the Maple Gift Shop and purchase a bottle of syrup to take home. And what's a Maple Syrup Festival without a pancake meal? Hop on a wagon that will take you to the Pancake House where you can enjoy fresh, hot pancakes and sausages with pure maple syrup.
$6.00 small meal
$12.00 medium meal
$40.00 family platter
Top 5 Must-Try Treats at the Maple Syrup Festival
Maple Syrup Festival F.A.Q.
Q. When is the festival open?
A. Every weekend in March and the week of March Break from 9:30am - 3:00pm
Q. Where is the festival located?
A. On our day-use side of the park, 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville.
- Take the Q.E.W. to Burloak Drive (Exit 109)
- Go north (away from Lake Ontario) for one kilometre
- Park entrance will be on the right hand side
Q. How much is it?
A. The festival is included in the park daily vehicle access fee:
| Daily Vehicle Permit |
$18.00 |
| Senior Permit (65+) |
$14.50 |
| Disabled Permit (with proof of Ontario Disability Permit) |
$9.00 |
| Bus Permit |
$62.50 |
In addition budget about $40 for purchases in the candy shanty, gift shop and maple taffy station. The pancake meals vary in price:
$6.00 small meal
$12.00 medium meal
$40.00 family platter
Meals include pancakes, sausage or bacon, a drink and of course 100% pure maple syrup! No group rates.
Q. Is debit/credit accept at the festival?
A. Debit/Credit is accepted in all areas of the festival- only exception is Taffy station which is cash only. There are no ATMs in the park.
Q. How much time will we need to tour the festival?
A. At least 2-3 hours are needed to see and do everything at the festival. Remember, your day pass allows you to also use the other park facilities, including walking trails, the children's farm and the Playbarn (kids 10 and under only). Your family could easily spend 4 hours at the park. Please remember walking is involved.
Q. How should I dress?
A. Dress warm from head to toe. Walking is involved so wear sturdy and weather appropriate footwear. Hats, mitts and warm coats are needed for everyone and snow pants or splash pants are a good idea for kids.
Q. Are dogs allowed?
A. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be kept on a leash. Dogs are NOT permitted on the tractor drawn wagon rides or in the buildings. Dogs are welcome on the guided tours of Maple Lane.
Q. Is the festival stroller or wheelchair friendly?
A. March is known for snow, rain, mud and ice... which can make wheeled transportation challenging. All buildings are wheelchair accessible including washrooms, however the trip will be difficult in snowy conditions or when it is muddy. Strollers and wagons have an easier time with the thicker wheels. Strollers may NOT be permitted on the wagon if it is busy. Strollers are not permitted in the Farmhouse.
Q. Is the festival good for toddlers?
A. The festival is a great time for the family to get out and enjoy a truly Canadian tradition. We strive to be family focused. Children under 3 may not understand the guided tour but they will love the outdoor games, maple sugar, wagon ride, farm animals, Playbarn, etc... So YES the festival has things for toddlers to enjoy. --- bring your camera to capture some awesome memories!
Q. What's new at the festival?
A. This year we have expanded our family activity centre with new games. We've also installed a new continuous evaporator so that guests can see how maple syrup is made in the modern era. Each year we strive to increase the visitor experience at the park.
Q. What languages are spoken by the tour guides?
A. Presently we have english speaking tour guides. We are happy to answer questions or work with language interpreters... just let us know. Same goes for hearing impaired.
Q. Are bus tours welcome?
A. Yes - all activities are ongoing from 9:30am -3:00pm. It's best to get here early as it will take you at least 2-3 hours to see everything.
Q. Why are the tour guides dressed differently from us?
A. The Bronte Creek Provincial Park Maple Syrup Festival specializes in the Late Victorian Time period (1890's). The tour guides are dressed in clothing typical of this time period.
Don't leave without a souvenir from our Maple Gift Shop!
Chocolate Treats
Maple Butter, Jams and Jellies
Cookies and Shortbread
Candies, Caramels and Taffy
Dressings, BBQ Sauces, Rubs and Seasonings
Maple Syrup
We also sell park merchandise including clothing, mugs, children's toys and other gifts!
If you have any questions please call our Main Office at 905-827-6911
