Skip to content

John McCrae Public School is about to get sweet and syrupy

Included is a delicious pancake breakfast and a number of activities to celebrate our forests
20180324 resilience ts 1
File photo. Tony Saxon/GuelphToday

NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH TOOL LIBRARY
*************************
Syrup in the City, Guelph’s own maple syrup festival, is returning for its third year at John McCrae Public School (189 Water Street, Guelph). Taking place on Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., visitors will get to experience many family-friendly activities and a delicious pancake breakfast.

Syrup in the City runs activities for all ages including tree tapping, maple syrup and sap tasting, log sawing and outdoor activities. Programming is facilitated by the Grade 12 students from the Upper Grand District School Board’s outdoor education program, Headwaters. In addition, John McCrae students will be flipping pancakes and serving guests a delicious pancake breakfast.

John McCrae Principal, Leslie Newman, tells us that “it is so wonderful to see the high school students work in cooperation with our own John McCrae students in a way that allows leadership opportunities and learning. The day brings together both the school community and our neighbourhood group. Parents, students, grandparents and neighbours all join us. It is one of my favourite days of the year.”

The students have invited a number of local community organizations and guests to be part of the festival. Guelph Urban Forest Friends and the City of Guelph Forestry Department will be on hand to talk about our urban forests. 

Students will distribute free saplings courtesy of Wellington County Green Legacy Tree Nursery. The Guelph Trail Hiking Club will be hosting a hike along the river at 10:30 a.m. starting from the school. "The festival really serves to celebrate and inspire people to protect our urban forests" says Katie Gad, a teacher with the Headwaters Program.

Other activities for visitors include a live bird show at 11 a.m. and noon from the Mountsberg Raptors Centre. Sponsored by Wild Birds unlimited, visitors can get up close and learn more about these wonderful birds. Flapjack, the mascot from the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival will also be available for photos and to shake hands. 

The Guelph Circus School will add to the entertainment with a class at 11:00 am. Visitors will also get to build bird houses at this year’s festival with the help of the Guelph Tool Library. The Guelph Public Library’s Bookmobile will be on site for those wanting to do more research into maple syrup making or wild birds.

Finally, Maple Syrup and delicious maple syrup products will be available for purchase from sponsor Snyder Heritage Farms. Syrup in the City organizer John Dennis says that “the maple syrup cotton candy is amazing. It is a bit like eating a cloud made out of maple syrup.”

This year’s festival is generously sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, Planet Bean, The Bullring and Snyder Heritage Farms. Syrup in the City is part of Transition Guelph’s Resilience Festival. Entry is by donation with proceeds going to John McCrae Public School, Transition Guelph, and the Headwaters Program.

*************************


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.