Dutchess to host maple sugaring open house

A free indoor and outdoor event on how maple syrup is made will begin at noon Saturday at Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Rd., in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Participants will explore old and modern methods of creating syrup. The program will show how to tap a sugar maple tree, boil sap with hot rocks and start a fire with friction.

Park naturalist David Beck will lead the demonstrations on a rotating schedule until 4 p.m. .

"The maple sugaring program is always a popular event here in Bowdoin and people look forward to it every year," Steven Olsen, Dutchess County parks director, said in a news release.

For more information, call the county parks division at 845-298-4600.