Maple sugar-making demos in Schaumburg

The Schaumburg Park District is holding its annual maple sugar-making demonstrations this month, one as a specific two-day event and the other as a bookable educational program.

The 27th annual Sugar Bush Fair at Spring Valley Nature Center, presented by Whole Foods Market in Schaumburg, will include an outdoor breakfast featuring pancakes with maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee.

The fair is from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road.

Both days feature demonstrations of syrup-making and sap-collecting methods used by Native Americans and early pioneers, an authentic Chicago-area Native American interpreter, a children's puppet show, hayrides and syrup sales.

Admission is free, but advance tickets for the pancake breakfast cost $3.50 for a half stack and $4.50 for a full stack. Day-of prices are $4 and $5, respectively.

Breakfast will be served outdoors under a tent at the Merkle Cabin. Advance tickets are available at the nature center.

Parking is available at the nature center with transportation running between it and the Merkle Cabin. For information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit parkfun.com.

The park district also is arranging individual educational demonstrations for groups at the nature center through March 31. The programs generally last about an hour and a half and reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. Programs for younger children also include the short puppet show.

The fee is $4.75 per participant with a minimum group fee of $71.25.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the park district between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.