HUNTINGDON CO., Pa. (WJAC) — The pandemic put the annual Maple Harvest Festival on hold for a couple years. But this weekend, the pancake buffet and syrup tour is back at the Penn State Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.
"To enjoy the opportunity to get outside, to be with their families and this community, to learn a little bit about how syrup is made, and to just enjoy being in this beautiful space that allows them to connect with each other and the natural world," is what Laurie McLaughlin, the festival's director, told 6 News on Saturday.
One way to connect is over a plate of hot food.
"Good day to flip some pancakes?" Douglas Braff asked one of the cook's, also named Doug.
"Sure is. Got a little bit of breeze, makes it very tolerable to stand in front of a hot grill."
It's an all-you-can-eat pancake buffet, with only the best ingredients.
"The ingredients [are] as local as we can get it," the cook said. "So, [we're] trying to be as light on the planet as you can with the ingredients."
"We will probably make close to 10,000 pancakes over the next two days," McLaughlin said. "So, a lot of pancakes!"
Yep, you heard that right! 10,000 flapjacks grilled and flipped in the open air, surrounded by nature.
There's also the opportunity to learn about the history of maple sugaring from some Penn State students -- who, with their outfits, could've teleported straight from the 18th century -- as well as the process for identifying and tapping trees.
"And then they learn the collection methods. So, how do I collect all of that sap, and take it to the sugar shack, and boil it all down to make the delicious syrup that we all know and love?" McLaughlin said.
But this event is not for profit. McLaughlin told 6 News me they look at this event as a "friend-raiser."
"We've always been a place that likes to engage the public, but also connect our students to an experience where they're involved in their learning," she explained.
Tickets for this year are completely sold out, but hopefully next year you can come and see what's on tap.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfoq6xuMRmn5qqpprAtXnFnqqtoaaWuW5%2Bj2tp