Get a taste of springtime with the Rotary Club  of Barrie and Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority at the annual Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival.

Maple syrup will be the guest of honour as the festival pours into the Tiffin Centre on Sat., April 5 and Sun., April 6. But Spring Tonic isn’t just about maple syrup.

New events this year include a Low Ropes Challenge Course, a seatbelt rollover demonstration and an archery exhibit.

“As a family event, we cater to all ages with an emphasis on safely enjoying the outdoors and protecting our environment,” said Greg Bray, Land and Operations supervisor at the NVCA.

Traditional favourites will be returning, including a full pancake breakfast, maple syrup tours, live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, children’s arts and crafts, guided hikes, bird-box building, insect exploring and an Enviro Fair featuring agencies that are working to protect and enhance our natural world.

“This event entertains and educates families as well as gives them a great first taste of spring,” said Jack Burke of the Rotary Club of Barrie.  

This is Barrie Rotary’s fifth year involved with Spring Tonic. The club uses 50 per cent of the funds raised from ticket sales for various Rotary projects, including the new Huronia Lookout project and the Cancer Care Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital.

Rotary donates the other 50 per cent to the NVCA to fund various projects to protect the environment. Last year, Spring Tonic raised about $7,000 from a crowd of about 2,000 people.

Spring Tonic admission prices are $10 per adult and $5 per youth (12 and under). These prices include a full breakfast and access to all activities. The gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. daily.

The Tiffin Centre is located on the 8th Line of Essa Township, four kilometres south of Highway 90, just ten minutes west of Barrie.

For more information contact the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority at 705-424-1479 ext. 9 or www.nvca.on.ca.