Victorian Star Party

This event on Friday, May 13 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. is an exciting opportunity for people of all ages who are curious about the wonders of the night sky. Learn about the history of astronomy, look through a Victorian telescope and discover the world of modern astronomy. Activities include an Edwardian Star Party Social, a craft in the one room schoolhouse, period astronomy lectures and star gazing with modern and antique telescopes. Westfield is always a special place, but it's magical in the evening. Take a seat at the Victorian bandstand and gaze into the night sky to see the many stars above.  Only a select number of buildings will be open including the General Store where you can buy a refreshment or purchase a star party treat.

This event is presented in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Hamilton Centre and McMaster University's Let's Talk Science and Sidewalk Astronomy groups. Tickets are available at the door. Admission for an adult is $9.50, a senior 65+ is $8.50, a child 6-12 years is $5.50 and a child 5 and under is free. You may also use your Nature's Reward Card from the Hamilton Conservation Authority. This pass allows you to bring up to 6 people including 4 adults.

Maple Syrup and Pancakes

Buy your tickets at the door or buy them online. Westfield is ready for the Maple Syrup season to start. The St. George Lions Club is also ready to serve up some delicious pancakes!

 

Visitors always ask: "How much time should I set aside for my visit?" Plan to spend the day. With close to 30 historical buildings to visit, multiple maple syrup demonstrations, horse drawn wagon rides and an all day pancake breakfast visitors will want to have plenty of time to enjoy the sights, sounds and taste of the Maple Syrup season. Visitors will want to remember to bring some cash for this event. The St. George Lions Club only accepts cash for the breakfast. 

Maple Syrup Production in Full Swing at Westfield

Westfield has had a Maple Syrup Festival since 1994. Since that time over 150 000 visitors have learned about turning sap to syrup. This year the sap has started to run a bit early as can be seen from these pictures taken on February 25.

 

This year’s Festival will start Sunday March 6 and will operate each Sunday in March as well as on Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17 and Good Friday, March 25 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.

A big part of the Festival is to eat pancakes with real Maple Syrup in the Ironwood Hall. The St. George Lions Club has served up thousands of pancakes over the last 10+ years and this year will be no different. A generous sized pancake only costs a $1.00. You can add sausage for a dollar, a slice of ham for a dollar, a drink for a dollar- well you get the picture. Pancakes are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and it’s okay if you only want to come for breakfast. The Ironwood is located outside the historic area. Some of our visitors take full advantage and come back week after week.

The admission charge to the Festival is $11.00 for an adult, a senior 65 and older is $10.00, a child 6-12 years is $6.50 and a child 5 and under is free. (While tickets are available online you can also buy them at the door.)  This charge allows you to visit the modern sugar shack, visit two historic maple syrup demonstration sites, visit about 30 historical buildings and have a horse drawn wagon ride. The parking is free. If you have a Nature's Reward Pass you can use that as well. It allows you to bring in up to 6 people including 4 adults for free. The pass is a great way to spend Sunday afternoons at Westfield throughout the season or to visit one of the Hamilton Conservation Authority's other popular sites. Throughout the Festival visitors will have the chance to find out about the Authority's many programs and purchase a pass that is valid for a full year from the date of purchase.

As visitors leave the site most stop at the Maple Syrup Gift Shop to purchase a maple treat. The shop is well stocked with a variety of Maple Syrup products including, syrup, sugar, fudge and tea. Below you will find a recipe from the Sweet Maple book by James M. Lawrence and Rux Martin. Something to try with the Maple Syrup purchase you make at Westfield.

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 3/4 cups maple syrup
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract (you might want to try Maple extract to add a stronger Maple flavour)
6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 x 13 inch baking sheets. In a large bowl, beat together butter, maple syrup, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in oats. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and slat. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Hope to see you at the 2016 Westfield Maple Syrup Festival!

Westfield's New Sign.

Maple Syrup weather is already in the air and we are getting ready for a new season. This includes a beautiful new sign at Westfield's entrance. Visitors to the site will know they have arrived when they see this new sign from Kirkwall Road. Westfield will be open for Maple Syrup Festival on Sundays, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. We will also be open during March Break on Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17 as well as Good Friday, March 25, from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. See you soon!

Westfield Is A Busy Place

Westfield will re-open to the public for our Maple Syrup Event taking place in March, but until then Westfield is still a hive of activity. This past Tuesday the television series Dark Matter used the site to film parts of their second season.
Westfield volunteers are also keeping busy with various behind the scene projects including painting, sewing and wood working projects.



Dark Matter filming a scene in the woods at Westfield.

 

Westfield Volunteers Hard At Work!

 

Visitors Enjoy Westfield in the Winter

Westfield's next special event will be in March when we present our Maple Syrup Festival. Until then visitors can enjoy the grounds during the week to walk and watch the birds feed.

Chickadee coming in for a landing!

One very eager bird trying to get to the bird food!

 

Merry Christmas!

From all the staff and volunteers at Westfield we wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to seeing you at our next Special Event taking place in March. Join us for a Sweet Taste of Spring Maple Syrup Festival.