Immediate Release
February 20, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. The puff of smoke you see over the Sugar Shack at Pattison Park near Owensville is coming from the giant cooker that is turning sap into yummy maple syrup. The syrup is the featured attraction at the Clermont County Park District’s annual Pancakes in the Park breakfast that will be held, Saturday, March 14, 2009; the event runs 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Pattison Park, located at 2228 US Highway 50. In addition to a great breakfast and syrup sampling, you’ll have the opportunity to see how trees are tapped and the sweet topping is collected and cooked.
“This year we’re inviting people to sponsor a sap bucket for the event,” said Clermont Parks Chief Naturalist Keith Robinson. “For a $25 donation, your name will be put on one of the buckets that collect sap at the park, you will receive two tickets to the pancake breakfast, and you’ll receive two spiles to use on your own maple trees.”
Robinson says to tap maple trees, you should make sure they are at least 10 inches in diameter. “When the weather warms and the sap starts flowing, you can collect up to a gallon of sap from each tree on certain days,” said Robinson, who explains that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup!
“If you’ve never tasted real maple syrup, you are in for a real treat,” said Robinson. “It is much sweeter and thinner than the syrup you usually buy at the store.” For more information about the Pancakes in the Park event, or to purchase tickets for the breakfast, call the Clermont County Park District at (513) 732-2977 or visit them online, www.parks.ClermontCountyOhio.gov. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for kids 8-12 years old; kids 7 and under are free.
Pictured above: Clermont Parks Chief Naturalist Keith Robinson holds a sap bucket available for sponsorship at the pancake breakfast. For more information call (513) 732-2977.
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