SEASON 6, EPISODE 11

On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez, our dynamic duo travel the state to bring you everything you need to know about Michigan Maple Syrup, including how a newcomer approaches it and how the professionals do it.

Segment 1: We stop at Maple Row Sugarhouse in Jones (Southwestern Michigan) where they are celebrating the Michigan Maple Syrup Festival with everything from pancakes, to activities for kids and all things maple syrup. We talk to co-owner Christy Olson, who operates the farm with her husband Daniel and their seven kids. The festival continues this weekend, March 23 and 24. Attendees will also enjoy a reenactment camp to show how maple syrup was made back in the pioneer days. More details at maplerowsugarhouse.com.

Segment 2: Our friend and BTM webmaster Jeff Bailey joins the show, who tells how he got into the hobby of making his own maple syrup. He started from the base of not knowing how to identify a maple tree to actually making something he gives away as gifts to friends. He will make you laugh.

Segment 3: The Detroit suburb of Northville may seem like an unlikely place to celebrate all-things maple syrup, but each year in March, the popular Maybury Farm hosts families on the weekends to take them to the sugarbush for an immersive experience. We talked to Diana Wallace, executive director of the Northville Community Foundation & Maybury Farm about why you may want to visit Northville this weekend. Tours continue through March 30. Learn more at mayburyfarm.org.

Segment 4: The state is blessed to have several outstanding maple syrup festivals, including the Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival in Vermontville, just southwest of Lansing. Along with great maple syrup, this community event that dates back to the 1940s includes a flea market, pancake derby, talent show, an arts and crafts show and a grand parade. We talked to Mary Ann Hayes of Maple Manor about what makes this community festival so popular and why thousands of people descend on this tiny town every year. This year’s festival is April 26-28. More details at syrupfest.org.

Who could we possibly have on the show next week? Who knows! But stay tuned to Behind the Mitten to find out!

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