General News

Spring Tonic Festival adds two new activities

March 23, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The annual Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Tiffin Conservation Area offers a variety of family-friendly activities.

This year, visitors can enjoy new activities, including animal exhibits with Scales Nature Park and Zoo to You, dog demonstrations by Red Barn Even Centre, and other long-time favourites.

“We start preparations well in advance with volunteers tapping trees, collecting sap and producing maple syrup for the event,” said Kyra Howes, Manager of Lands and Operations at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. “Families can learn how maple syrup is produced today and in the past, as well as engage in a variety of activities to kick off the Spring season. Tiffin’s very own maple syrup will also be for sale in limited quantities.”

NVCA and the Rotary Club of Barrie jointly host the festival. Volunteers from the Rotary Club donate their time to organize Spring Tonic and manage different stations during the event.

“All proceeds from the festival go back to the community and helps maintain Tiffin Conservation Area,” said John O-Brien, Chairperson of the Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Rotary Club of Barrie. “Some of this funding goes towards the Royal Victoria Hospital, Salvation Amy, affordable housing and many other community enhancement projects throughout Simcoe County.”

Admission to the event includes a full pancake and sausage breakfast with fresh maple syrup. It also includes activities such as interacting with exotic animals, firefighters, and paramedics. Rob Watts will provide live music, and the Cadets will host outdoor skills demonstrations.

The Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival will take place on Saturday, Apr. 1, and Sunday, Apr. 2.

Admission to the festival is $20 for adults, $15 for children between two and 12, and free for children two and under. Admission includes all activities except bird box building and horse-drawn wagon rides.

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