Join Groundwork Somerville on March 3rd at the Somerville Community Growing Center for the annual Somerville Maple Syrup Project Boil Down! Community members of all ages are invited to 22 Vinal Avenue between 10am and 2pm to watch and learn as sap from local sugar maple trees is boiled down into pure maple syrup over a warm fire. Attendees can expect to enjoy syrup-tasting, children’s music by the Animal Farm, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and much more! Waffles, syrup, hot drinks and Somerville Maple Syrup Project T-shirts will be on sale.

  • At 11am and 12noon, Animal Farm will be entertaining Boil Down Festival guests!
    Animal Farm is a Boston-based trio of musicians and educators whose lively performances
    entertain and engage children ages 3 to 103! Each thirty minute show will be a colorful blend of original music, storytelling, hilarious antics and games.
  • The Somerville Maple Syrup Project coordinated by Groundwork Somerville in
    partnership with the Friends of the Community Growing Center, Somerville Public Schools,
    Tufts University, and dedicated community volunteers. Every February, local maple trees are tapped, and the collected sap is stored for a 2-day public boil-down event.
  • Throughout the season, Groundwork Somerville staff trains and supports community
    volunteers as they teach a 4-week arts and science curriculum to 2nd graders in all of
    Somerville’s public schools and lead educational activities at the boil-down event. High
    school students working in the metal shop provide annual maintenance on the wood stove
    and evaporator pan they made in 2005. The syrup produced is given as thank you gifts to key partners and sold in maple leaf jars at the “Grown in Somerville” booth at the Union Square Farmer’s Market and at Sherman Market. Come join us at this unique outdoor festival as we celebrate the spring and our urban natural resources!

    For information about The Maple Syrup Boil Down, the education series, or syrup production contact: Tai Dinnan ~ tai@groundworksomerville.org ~ 617-628-9988 office