Saint John’s Maple Syrup Festivals: The drumbeat of spring

Out in the forest a gentle drumbeat pierces the silence of winter. Not a drum in the traditional sense, but when the first drops of maple sap hit the buckets, we know spring has arrived at Saint John's.

Maple syrup season is a time to celebrate community, history, culture and place. If you're looking for a family event to witness the drumbeat of spring, join Saint John's Outdoor University for the annual Maple Syrup Festivals in the Abbey Arboretum from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Saint John's Abbey & University. Registration will be near Saint John's Preparatory School.

The festivals include tours and sap collection, tapping demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. Punctuate the afternoon with free hot maple syrup sundaes. From kids to grandparents, this is an event for the whole family. It's an open house, so come when you can and stay as long as you like.

Pre-register by noon on the Friday before the festival you plan to attend to receive the discount. Call 320-363-3163 or visit our website for more information and to register (www.csbsju.edu/OutdoorU).

For an extra $2, and available only at the festivals, you can get a Saint John's Maple Syrup patch perfect for scout groups, 4H clubs, birthday parties, or people of all ages interested in collecting patches.

The festival is entirely outdoors - rain, snow or shine. Dress for the weather (boots are highly recommended) and please leave pets at home.

Maple syruping has been an annual rite of spring at Saint John's since the 1940s when sugar shortages prompted the monastery to learn the maple syrup production process. For more than 70 years, members of the Saint John's community have carried on this tradition, and we're thrilled to share it with you.

Saint John's Outdoor University provides environmental and outdoor education through classes, events, and initiatives with the Abbey Arboretum, Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict. Saint John's Abbey Arboretum is more than 2,500 acres of lakes, prairie, oak savannah and forest owned by Saint John's Abbey and surrounding Saint John's University. Together we celebrate the unique beauty and richness of God's creation in central Minnesota and foster the Benedictine traditions of land stewardship, education and environmental respect.