Anja Cahill

My favourite maple experience is Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation area, just north of Kingston, Ontario.

This year, the festival will run every weekend in March, as well as daily throughout the week of March Break (March 10-14, 2025). The event is open from 9AM - 4PM. Admission is $5.25 for adults, $3.75 for children, pets are free!

Visitors can take a tractor drawn wagon ride to the sugar bush and learn how maple syrup is made in the olden days and how we make it today. Take a stroll through the interpretive trail and be sure to stop by the sugar shack for freshly made pancakes with warm maple syrup.

Online registration is now required to attend Maple Madness. There is no fee to register and you will pay the entrance fee at the gatehouse when you arrive on your selected day.

It is a very small team that runs Maple Madness and they have over 13,000 visitors during the festival! Here is a list of all of the things a visitor can do while attending Maple Madness:
- Self-guided sugar bush tour.
- Visit the interpretive stations where staff, students, and community volunteers will teach you about the process of making maple syrup (closes at 3:30).
- Wagon rides: pick-up and drop-off at the Outdoor Centre and the top of the hill at the sugar bush. First wagon is at 9:00 am and the last wagon back to the sugar bush is 2:30 pm.
- Sugar shack (pancakes & drinks) and maple shop (syrup & candy) are available for sale
- Face painting at the Outdoor Centre by donation.
- Maple themed crafts, activities, and displays from Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in the Outdoor Centre.
- Maple Madness photo contest

Treats available at the Sugar Bush:
Single pancake with maple syrup - $2.50
Double stack of pancakes with maple syrup - $5.00
Triple stack of pancakes with maple syrup - $7.50
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate - $2.25
Water, juice, pop, ice tea - $2.25
Maple lollipop - $3.00
Maple candy, 3 pack - $3.25

Treats available at the Maple Shop - Outdoor Centre
2L syrup - $53.00
1L syrup - $27.00
500 ml syrup - $17.00
250 ml syrup - $13.00
50 ml leaf bottle - $5.50
Maple butter - $13.00
Maple lollipop - $3.00
Maple dip - $4.00
Maple candy 3 pack - $3.25

Important Things to Know:
- Maple Madness runs rain or shine except in adverse weather conditions like a snow storm, freezing rain event, or very high winds. If you are unsure please check the website or call 613-546-4228 ext. 222.
- Dogs are welcome at Maple Madness and they must be on a leash at all times while in the Conservation Area. At this time dogs are not allowed on the wagons.
- Please do not walk on the road by the warming huts (causeway). It is very narrow and for tractors only.
- Please access the walking trails at the back of the Outdoor Centre. When a wagon approaches on the road please step to the side and let it pass.

NEW for 2025! Little Cataraqui is piloting a bus program!
How it works: On the schedule listed below Cataraqui Conservation will have a school bus at pre-determined City of Kingston transit hubs to pick you up and take you to Little Cataraqui Creek and then back to that same transit hub it picked you up at. There will be a morning pick-up/drop-off and an afternoon pick-up/drop-off offered only on select days of the program.
- Tickets are required: You must book and pay for your ticket to have access to the bus. The bus is free and you are simply paying for your entrance to the event ahead of time. Cost is $3.75 for children and $5.25 for adults. 

Bus Schedule:
1. Wednesday March 12 - Invista Centre - Route 7 |Kingston Transit
Morning Bus: 8:30 am pick-up at Invista that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 11:30 am meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Invista Centre.
Afternoon Bus: 12:15 pick-up at Invista that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 3:00 pm meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Invista Centre.

2. Sunday March 23 - Montreal Street Carpool - Express 801 | Kingston Transit
Morning Bus: 8:30 am pick-up at the Montreal Street Carpool Lot that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 11:30 am meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Montreal Street Carpool Lot.
Afternoon Bus: 12:15 pick-up at the Montreal Street Carpool Lot that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 3:00 pm meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Montreal Street Carpool Lot.

3. Saturday March 29 - Kingston East Community Centre - Express 601 | Kingston Transit
Morning Bus: 8:30 am pick-up at the Kingston East Community Centre that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 11:30 am meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Kingston East Community Centre.
Afternoon Bus: 12:15 pick-up at the Kingston East Community Centre that will take you to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. At 3:00 pm meet where the bus dropped you off at Little Cat to take you back to the Kingston East Community Centre.

How to Get your Ticket for the Bus: Click on the link below to go to our ticket page. On that page click on one of the green highlighted dates to start the ticket process. If a date is red that means it is sold out. We use PayPal to process tickets, you do not have to have a PayPal accounty click on the 'guest checkout' or 'check out with credit card'. Tickets open Tuesday Feb. 25, 2025.

Enjoy your time at Little Cataraqui Maple Madness!

Canada's largest showcase of outdoor gear and adventure travel experiences in coming to TORONTO! I'm planning on heading there February 21st or 22nd, and I CAN'T WAIT!

Why? Because there are over 320 exhibitors offering the latest camping gear, paddle sports, outdoor clothing, scuba diving and adventure travel destinations.

Did you Know? There are over 100 adventure presentations being offered over the course of the weekend as well!

When: February 21-23, 2025
Where: International Centre, Toronto

How much? About $17 per person, or get a weekend pass for $21

The third annual Ottawa 'I Heart Beer & Taco Festival' will run from Friday, February 28 - March 1, 2025. This event promised to be two fun-filled days and nights of beer, cider and spirits sampling with games, dancing, and tacos!

When: Friday, February 28 (6:00pm - 11:00pm) and Saturday, March 1 (12:00pm - 10:00pm), 2025
Where: EY Centre, Eastern Ontario's Largest Exhibition Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa
Cost: Tokens (used for both food and drink) are $2.50 each, cash only
Average sample cost: 1 token
Beer sample size: 5 oz

Curious about which breweries will be onsite? Here's a list of what to expect:
Cowbell Brewing Co.​ (Blyth, ON)​
​Junction 56 Distillery (Stratford, ON)
Founder's Original (Burlington, ON)
Rice Lake Hard Cider (Baltimore, ON)
Lake of Bays Brewing Co. (Baysville, ON)
​​Black Fly Beverage Company (London, ON)
Sandbagger Hard Seltzer (Toronto, ON)
Dunrobin Distilleries (Ottawa, ON)
Orleans Brewing Co (Ottawa, ON)
Black Rapids Brewing Company (Ottawa, ON)
Cold Bear Brewing Company (Arnprior, ON)
Broadhead Brewing Co. (Ottawa, ON)
Latina Beer (Niagara Falls, ON)
Paniza Brewing Co. (Toronto, ON)
Stray Dog Brewing Company (Orleans, ON)
Big Rig Brewery (Kanata, ON)
Flora Hall Brewing (Ottawa, ON)
Bicycle Craft Brewery (Ottawa, ON)
Bond Brewing Company (Orleans, ON)
Kichesippi Beer Co. (Ottawa, ON)
4 Degrees Brewing & Distilling (Smith Falls, ON)
Dominion City Brewing Co. (Ottawa, ON)
Black Lab Brewing (Toronto, ON)

Curious about your food options? Here are some examples:
Chucky Habanero Hot Sauce
Bitten on Locke
​El Patcho’s Tacos
Fiesta Empanada
LeSher Kitchen
Mona's Taqueria
Picante mx
Mexi-can cocina
Junior & The Kid BBQ
Curry Curry
Maria's Tacos
SmokeBox Catering
Unique Choice
La Mesita Restaurante
Fiesta and Tequila
La Catrina
El Gringo Taqueria

Here's what you need to know:
➡️ All General Admission Tickets include admission to the Festival and an official 10 ounce I❤︎BEER sampling cup. Tokens can be purchased at the festival (cash only) at the designated token tent or online when purchasing tickets.
​
? Designated Driver Tickets are $10 at the Door. DD Tickets give you admission to the event but you are not permitted to consume any alcohol at the Festival (If caught consuming alcohol of any kind, you'll be removed from the venue). Non Alcoholic drinks and food can be purchased using tokens at the local food vendor booths and the snack shack.
​
​? Volunteer prior or during the event to get FREE Tickets and Tokens. Start times are flexible and the work is pretty easy.
​
? The Earlier you buy your admission ticket, the cheaper it is. Tickets start at just $9.99 for Session #2 and $14.99/$15.99 for Session #1 & #3 (Plus HST and Ticket Fees) and slowly make their way up to our regular ticket price of $14.99/$19.99 (Plus HST and Ticket Fees)

See their website for further detail on ticket pricing and packages.

Most importantly - have fun!!

Canada's flagship craft show features the works of 450+ of the most talented artisans from across the country! This spring marks 50 years of exceptional craftsmanship and the best Canadian makers. Taking place March 26 - 30 at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario.

Features include:
- Main Stage Presentations: Embrace what sets you apart because that is what makes you One Of A Kind. Join us at the Main Stage (located at the North end of the centre aisle) for captivating programs and special guests that inspire you, offer fresh perspectives, and celebrate your creative spirit.

- Fashion Shows: Featuring apparel and accessories from the artisans, the One Of A Kind Fashion Shows highlight what’s fresh and exciting in Canadian design. Fashion Shows will take place every day during the Show at the Main Stage (located at the North end of the centre aisle).

- Rising Stars: Discover Rising Stars, a section where new artisans unleash their creativity in this open-concept space. Here, you get to meet and shop from upcoming and emerging small businesses. Each booth is a masterpiece waiting to be explored.

- Audio Guestbook: The One Of A Kind Winter Show will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone birthday, we want to hear your One Of A Kind stories. From the first piece you ever purchased to your favourite memory from the Show, head over to our audio guestbook station and leave us a message on why you love One Of A Kind!

- Creative Lounge: Let your creativity shine with free and fun crafts and workshops at the One Of A Kind Show! Open to everyone over the age of 8. Classes will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Pre-onsite sign-ups may be required for sessions.

- Marketplace: Experience an elevated tabletop-style marketplace that is a hub to meet and shop from talented makers! This will be the first Spring Show for all of the artisans in this section.

Did you know that there is a One of a Kind: After Hours? Formally known as "Late Night", the show remains open until 11pm so you can shop late while you meet up with friends, loved ones, and colleagues after work! Enjoy free parking, complimentary coat check, a special fashion show at 8PM, hourly giveaways, and sweet tunes from a special DJ. Late Night is Thursday, March 27 and begins at 5pm.

Since 1975, One Of A Kind's roots have been deeply connected to the culture of craft. We have participated in its growth, and we are excited to witness its evolution. What drives One Of A Kind forward is the core belief that craft can enrich our lives with diverse context and perspectives. With this, One Of A Kind is envisioned not only as a marketplace, but also a town square, a meeting place where people come together to give craft the commanding attention it deserves.

One Of A Kind's Purpose:
Rooted in our purpose to champion creativity, One Of A Kind brings together a community of like-minded individuals to exchange ideas, stories and objects through the culture of craft.

One Of A Kind's Story with Craft:
Craft is both a verb and a noun. It is an act; a process; an object, to be cared for, celebrated and
shared. It is this sharing—this meaningful exchange—that unites all of us. From a ceramic bowl to a 3D printed brooch, these objects carry profound value, filled with stories, beauty and purpose, first by its maker, and then by its owner.

One Of A Kind's Thumbprint:
The thumbprint is a symbol that represents what is valued at One Of A Kind—that is the beauty of human creativity and the importance of self-expression. This personal touch is what makes coming to One Of A Kind special, and we want to proudly own the thumbprint to tell our story moving forward.

Tickets range from $15-$20, discounts are available, and children are free with a paying adult. Tickets include re-entry for the duration of the show!