Maple Syrup Family Day
March 22, 2025
The Richfield Historical/Nature Park was a flurry of activity on March 22 with hungry visitors waiting to taste the delicious pancakes, children grinding corn and hundreds of others learning how maple syrup is made, what a blacksmith does and seeing a demo of cooking over an open fire. Everyone enjoyed the lovely weather--so good to be outdoors on a sunny day.
The pancake breakfast was a hit, as always. The
line snaked down the hill from the park pavilion as the 
visitors waited for the stack of
pancakes drizzled with 'real' maple syrup and sizzling sausages. The
wait was worth it!
Outside the sugar shack, visitors learned about tapping trees, gathering sap and turning it in the sweet maple syrup. 
Inside the sugar shack, the wood burning sap evaporator was bubbling, filling the sugar
shack with steam. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one
gallon of syrup? It wasn't long before all the syrup that
had been produced so far this season was all sold.
Starting at 9am, the judging of the maple syrup contest entries was taking place in the granary. All the 'contestants' were hoping their syrup would earn 1st Place in their category.
The Pioneer Homestead was bustling with activity for all ages. Outside the log cabin, pork fat was being rendered to make lard to use to make soap or for cooking. Inside 
the cabin, a cooking demo was taking place. Meanwhile, goats could be heard bleating as you walked to the log barn. Clucking chickens welcomed visitors into the barn where kids had the opportunity to do a leather activity. Near the log barn, 
you could see how a very old washing machine worked.
Across the road from the Pioneer homestead, kids participated in a variety of grain processing tasks, such as grinding corn stalks, with the equipment 
displayed by an RHS good friend, Lavern Schmitz.
The blacksmith shop was a flurry of activity with the 'smiths'
pounding the hot iron and shaping it into hooks and other useful items.
What a great way for the younger generation to see how metal tools were
made long ago.
Visitors, young and old, sampled the hot dogs, hot cocoa, and
homemade goodies. 
The signature treat of the Richfield Historical
Society, maple cotton candy, was very, very popular.
After a fun ride to the north end of the Park in the people mover,
the Lillicrapp Welcome 
Center entertained visitors with a general store
and historic photos from Richfield.
A display on the kitchen table in the Mill House showed cooking activities from long ago using apples. It is always fun to explore a house that has no TV or indoor plumbing.
The Messer/Mayer Mill is always a unique spot to see at any of the
RHS events. How could such a large building with all of its original
milling equipment be built so many years ago without a crane or other
machinery?
A big Thank You goes to all who attended, Richfield Historical Society volunteers, and the event's sponsors: Festival Foods, Forte Bank, Kwik Trip (Richfield) and Pioneer Bowl. You made this event happen. Another great family activity at the Richfield Historical/Nature Park.
Mark your calendars for this event on March 28, 2025
Facebook Comments from Attendees:
"We had a great time! We got there much later than we thought and the syrup was gone but got to get some delicious cotton candy and explore all the cool demonstrations. Thank you for always putting on such a fun family event."
"Thank you for this fun event! The volunteers were great!!"
"This was a really nice event. We went late and toured the buildings" and tasted maple cotton candy. Very nice buildings and interesting to see!"
