Bronte Creek Maple Sugar Festival

Henri enjoyed his first visit at the Bronte Creek conservation area with his cousins during their annual Maple sugar festival. In addition to the the traditional activities (wagon ride, pancake lunch, hay bale maze and Maple taffy), we also attended a short guided tour where we learned about the different roles and levels of importance Maple sugar has played throughout Canada's history. Although today Maple sugar/syrup is considered a tasty treat, in the past it was essential for survival and rationed throughout the year. The early settlers would make 12 loaves of Maple sugar to stretch from month to month. They relied on the sugar's energy during the late winter season when food was scarce. During the early days when 'exotic' cane sugar became available, it was an expensive alternative used as a 'status symbol', thus relegating Maple sugar as a substitute sweetener for the 'poor'. Quite a paradox...