[Editor's Note: This announcement was originally published on Jan. 30.]
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has extended its Maple Sugar Festival to a weekend event starting March 3. This year marks the 12th anniversary First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.
At this festival, visitors will learn about the different methods used to turn sap into syrup through a variety of demonstrations. They will see firsthand how to tap a tree to harvest its sap; how colonists made maple syrup; the Native American hot rock method; and how the SM&NC uses the modern evaporation method to produce the maple syrup sold in its gift shop.
In addition, First County Bank will host its Chef’s Challenge event at the museum on Saturday, March 3, starting at 11:30 a.m. with a winner declared at 2 p.m. During the challenge, local caterers and restaurant chefs will compete to create the best tasting recipe, as judged by the public, using maple syrup as an ingredient.
“First County Bank and the Stamford Museum & Nature Center have enjoyed a very supportive partnership over the years,” said Karen Kelly, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at First County Bank. In addition to sponsoring the Maple Sugar Festival, First County Bank is helping to underwrite educational programming at the museum. “This is one of the area’s cultural institutions that continually needs the financial support of companies and individuals. On behalf of the trustees, board of directors and employees of First County Bank, we are happy to make this donation to a very important part of our community.”
-- About First County Bank Maple Sugar Festival Weekend --
The First County Bank Maple Sugar Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 3-4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. The maple sugar season usually peaks around the first week in March. At this family festival, visitors will see maple sugar and tree tapping demonstrations, taste sweet maple syrup treats, make a maple-themed craft, go on a scavenger hunt and enjoy the popular Sunday pancake brunch.
Other activities include face painting, storytelling, music and much more. A daily admission fee of $5 will be charged to museum members while non-members will have to pay $10. All children 3 and under, Family Plus and above members are allowed in free.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art, natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The museum is a vital cultural and educational resource for the community, and a focal point for family activity and interaction, seeking to inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, and nurture an appreciation for lifelong learning through exhibitions, educational programs and special events that enhance the visitor's experience. Stamford Museum & Nature Center is located at 39 Scofieldtown Rd. in Stamford (three-quarters of a mile north of Merritt Parkway Exit 35). For more information, visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.
First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn. for more than 160 years, is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, trust and investment services, business banking services and online banking. First County Bank has more than 220 employees and assets in excess of $1.3 billion. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com. Become a fan by clicking “Like” on the bank’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/firstcountybank. Follow it on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/firstcountybank or look for First County Bank on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/920207.
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