In late winter, here in our mountains surrounding Pickens, when nights are freezing and days begin to warm, it's maple sugaring time!

The snow begins to melt, the ice to thaw, and the sap rises in the maple sugar trees. We tap the trees, drilling 2 1/2 inches deep and hammer a spout into the tap hole where either a bucket or plastic pipeline that connects each tree is hung. The sap drips into the buckets or flows through the line to storage tanks.

Next, we collect and transport the sap to a sugar house where it is boiled down in large evaporating pans making the thick, golden syrup. It takes about 45 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. The hot syrup is then filtered and packed into storage jugs.

West Virginia has a long history of sugar making. The Indians made syrup first. They threw hot rocks into hollowed-out logs that were filled with sap. The early settler quickly learned to make the sweet stuff and use it as their main source of sugar. Today, maple syrup and sugar are widely used in cooking, baking, and as topping.

Join us for a full weekend of activities celebrating this tradition each year on the third full weekend in March! The 2008 festival takes place March 15-16.

Events include:

The Pickens Depot and Roberts-Cunningham Museum are also open throughout the weekend.

2008 Festival Schedule

Saturday, March 15

Pancake Feed at Legion Hall and Pickens School* -- 9 am to 4 pm

Old Depot Ticket Office Open -- 9 am to 5 pm

Robert-Cunningham Museum Open -- 9 am to 5 pm

Photo Show at Pickens School -- 9 am to 5 pm

Art Show at Old Depot Ticket Office -- 9 am to 5 pm

U.S. Postal Stamp Cancellation at Post Office -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters & Craft Sale at Craft Store -- 9 am to 5 pm

Quilt Show & Sale at Quilt House -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters at Quilt House -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters at Fire Hall -- 9 am to 5 pm

Children's Face Painting Upstairs of Fire Hall -- 9 am to 5 pm

W.V. Wineries -- 9 am to 5 pm

Pottery for Sale at Fire Hall -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters Upstairs of Craft Store -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters in Wareroom of Craft Store -- 9 am to 5 pm

Food at Fire Hall -- 9 am to 5 pm

Food Concessions Open -- 9 am to 5 pm

Crafters in Wareroom of Old Depot -- 9 am to 5 pm

Paintball -- 9 am to 5 pm

Muzzleloaders at Leper's Grave (For more information, call 338-6075) -- 10 am

Free entertainment at Old Opera House -- 11:30 am to 4 pm

Woodchoppers at the Legion Hall -- 12 to 3 pm

"Haven in the Hardwood" 5K Run & Walk at the Old Depot - 2 pm

Ham and Bean Buffet at the Legion Hall* -- 5 pm to 7:30 pm

Square Dance with the Chapparals -- 8 pm to 11 pm at the Pickens School Gym

Sunday, March 16

Pancake Feed at Legion Hall* -- 9 am to 4 pm

Old Depot Ticket Office Open -- 9 am to 4 pm

Art Show at Old Depot Ticket Office -- 9 am to 4 pm

U.S. Postal Stamp Cancellation at Post Office -- 9 am to 4 pm

Crafters & Craft Sale at Craft Store -- 9 am to 4 pm

Quilt Show & Sale at Quilt House -- 9 am to 4 pm

Crafters at Quilt House -- 9 am to 4 pm

Crafters at Fire Hall -- 9 am to 4 pm

Children's Face Painting Upstairs of Fire Hall -- 9 am to 4 pm

W.V. Wineries -- 1 pm to 4 pm

Crafters Upstairs of Craft Store -- 9 am to 4 pm

Crafters in Wareroom of Craft Store -- 9 am to 4 pm

Food Concessions Open -- 9 am to 4 pm

Crafters in Wareroom of Old Depot -- 9 am to 4 pm

Paintball -- 9 am to 5 pm

Free entertainment at Opera House -- 11 am to 4 pm

Woodchoppers at the Legion Hall -- 12 to 3 pm

LOTS OF MAPLE SYRUP, MAPLE CANDY, SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS AND HATS FOR SALE AT CRAFT STORE

Special Event: Smokey Bear

Steam Engines & Corn Meal at Playground