Kick Off the Maple Season!
“Sugaring Off” parties in the 19th Century were traditionally held at the end of a punishing winter season when Spring is on its way! Starting in the late afternoon, these parties brought together families and villagers to celebrate with a cupful of hot maple syrup poured over crushed ice and served with coffee, doughnuts, and sour pickles.
Celebrate the kickoff of maple season at our “Sugaring Off” party with a hearty trail hike through our sugarbush, delightful maple-themed appetizers and drinks, tours of our Sugar House, live music, lantern-lit walks, and a toasty bonfire!
Tickets are no longer available for this event. Thank you to everyone who purchased ahead of time!
Sugaring Off!
- Join in on an (optional) hike through the Museum’s sugar bush (4 – 5 p.m.) and celebrate at the finish with sugar on snow and dougnuts!
- Live music, food, and beverages in the Nature Center
- Take to the lantern-lit Maple Trail for a self-guided, woodsy night walk
- Tour the Sugar House with one of our GCV&M maple experts
- Participate in timed, contest-based games like stilt races and fry-pan toss, along with lawn games such as cornhole and more!
- Pick a cozy spot at one of our outdoor fire pits, roast a marshmallow, and experience the magic of a winter bonfire!
Live Music from the "Biscuit Brothers"
Enjoy the enchanting folk-blue melodies of the Biscuit Brothers at the Nature Center! Listen as they serenade you with timeless tunes brought to life through the soulful strumming of guitar and banjo.
Food & Drinks!
- Maple-themed appetizers
- Sugar-on-Snow
- Doughnuts
- Sour Pickles
- Maple-themed drinks
- Fat Ox Ale and Stocking Hill Ale
- Wine
- Hard Cider
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate
- Non-alcoholic beverages
Each guest will receive a tub of Maple Cotton Candy (made right here at GCV&M) to take home!
Ticket Information
Tickets are no longer available for this event. Thank you to everyone who purchased ahead of time!
Member: $55
Adult: $60
Tickets include 2 drink tickets (beer, wine, and maple-themed drinks included). A cash bar will also be available.
Interested in becoming a Museum Member to enjoy this discounted event admission? Click here to learn more about joining the Museum as a Member!
FAQs
No. The event takes place entirely at the Nature Center; the Historic Village will be CLOSED to all visitors.
Parking is free and plentiful! Park in any of the main lots at the front of the Museum. Please leave the first two bays available for handicapped parking.
You will check in at the Nature Center. Once parked, and facing the front of the Museum, look to your right; you can either cross over the small wooden bridge between the trees or walk up the short driveway. Look to your right and you will see a blue building – that is the Nature Center.
If you want to join the optional hike to the Sugar Bush, you must arrive and be checked in no later than 4 p.m.
If you are NOT joining the optional hike, you may check in any time between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.; the cash bar will be open starting at 4 p.m.
We will be checking you in for this event by name. However, please also either print out OR take a screenshot of your ticket(s) or invoice as backup.
Yes! This event will happen rain, shine, or snow. We will only cancel if there is a travel ban or by order of Monroe County.
Most of this event is held outdoors – dress for the predicted weather conditions and wear warm, sturdy footwear!
Leashed service animals are welcome with proper identification.
One ticket includes all-access for one person to the night’s offerings, plus 2 drink tickets. Once you have used both drink tickets, a cash bar will be available. Each guest will also receive a tub of Maple Cotton Candy to take home.
We’re sorry to hear that you’re not able to attend! Tickets may be refunded only up to 7 days prior to the event date and are strictly non-transferable by date, entry time, or program.
