Last weekend we visited Malabar Farm State Park near Mansfield Ohio to attend the annual Malabar Farm State Park Maple Syrup Festival.

We got there a little before the festival started so we decided to do a little hiking.  We chose the The Butternut Trail that leads to a small cave.  We all had a great time exploring the cave.

After our hike we made our way back to the Sugar Bush to the walk the Sugar Bush Trail.

The trail started at a Native American Indian Camp and the demonstrators explained how the Indians extracted the sap from the trees and used hot rocks to boil the sap.

Then we made our way to the second stop where the Early Settlers explained how they boiled the sap in a kettle over a fire.  When the sap reached the ideal temperature they poured it out into a hallowed log.

Then they stirred the liquid as the air cooled it down and it turned into Sugar.

Which they then allowed us to sample.  Delicious!

Then we headed to the Sugar Shack to learn about how Maple Syrup is made today.

As soon as we entered we were treated to a sample of fresh Maple Syrup.  More Please!

After our tour was complete we purchased some maple treats for the kids and some maple syrup for later.

We then caught a horse drawn wagon ride back to our car.

Overall we had a great time at the Malabar Farm Maple Syrup Festival.  While the festival is over for this year, there are many other Northeast Ohio Farms hosting Maple Syrup Festivals this month.  I highly recommend making a trip.  It's fun, educational and delicious.

Of course, Malabar Farm State Park is a great destination any time of the year.  Here are 15 Things to Do with the Family at Malabar Farm State Park.

Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Road. Lucas, Ohio 44843
419-892-2784

Have you ever been to Malabar Farm State Park?  If so, what is your favorite thing to do while there?