I hope this helps answer some of the question you might have about the maple syrup festival at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Q. When is the festival open?
A. Every Weekend in March + the week of March Break from 9:30am - 3:00pm.
Q. How much is it?
A. The festival is $16.00/ vehicle to access the park. Then budget 40 dollars for purchases in the candy shanty, gift shoppe and maple taffy station. Pancake meals vary in price from about $3 for a small meal, and $30.00 for a family platter. Meals include pancakes, meat (sausage or bacon), drink and of course 100% pure maple syrup. No group rates.
Q. How much time will we need to DO the festival?
A. 2 hours is needed to see and do everything at the festival --- your day pass allows you to use the other park facilities... trails, children's farm and playbarn (kid 10 and under only) --- so a family could easily spend 4 hours at the park. Walking is involved.
Q. How should I dress?
A. Dress warm from head to toe. Walking is involved, wear proper footwear for "farm" conditions. Hats, mitts and warm coats are needed for everyone and snow pants or splash pants are a good idea for kids.
Q. Are dogs allowed?
A. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be kept on a leash. Dogs are NOT permitted on the tractor drawn wagon rides or in the pancake house or farmhouse. Dogs are welcome on the guided tours of Maple Lane.
Q. Is the Festival stroller or wheelchair friendly?
A. March is known for snow, rain, mud and ice... which can make wheeled transportation challenging. All buildings are wheelchair accessible including washrooms--- however the trip will be difficult in snowy conditions or when it is muddy. Stroller and wagons have an easier time with the thicker wheels. Stroller may NOT be permitted on the wagon if it is busy. Strollers are not permitted in the farmhouse.
Q. Is the festival good for toddlers?
A. The festival is a great time the family to get out and enjoy a truly Canadian tradition. We strive to be family focused... although the children under 3 may not understand the guide tour... they will LOVE the hay stack, maple sugar, pancakes and wagon rides.... farm animals etc... So YES the festival has things for toddlers to enjoy. --- bring your camera!
Q. What is NEW at the Festival?
A. This year you can have you're a Victorian style portrait taken of you and your friends and family in classic Victorian costumes. --- in 2009 we added a Maple Taffy Station, Victorian "face cut out" pose, and we have added some new games to the family activity area and changed up the festival passport.
Q. What languages are spoken by the tour guides?
A. At the moment we have mostly english speaking tour guides. We are happy to answer questions or work with language interpreters... just let us know. Same goes for hearing impaired.
Q. Are bus tours welcome?
A. Sure - ALL activities are ongoing from 9:30am -3:00pm it is best to get here before 1 as it will take you 2 hours to see everything.
Q. Why are the tour guides dressed.... differently?
A. The Bronte Creek Provincial Park Maple Syrup Festival specializes in the Late Victorian Time period (1890's) -- the tour guides are dressed in period clothing of this time period. All in keeping the time period of Spruce Lane farm and Farmhouse which the festival takes place in.
This did not answer my question: please call 905-827-6911.
