WEST SPRINGFIELD — For years, Storrowton Village Museum’s Maple Harvest Day and Pancake Breakfast has been a hallmark of the start of spring for many Western Mass. residents. On March 14, an influx in ticket sales confirmed that more townies are adding the event to their list of traditions than ever before.

More than 600 guests attended the event, which was a 50% increase over the previous year’s attendance. Overall, 20 volunteers from the West Springfield Lions Club stacked guests’ plates with pancakes in the name of supporting the year-round educational programming at Eastern States Exposition’s (ESE) historic village. They poured 10 gallons of orange juice, 10 gallons of milk, and hundreds of cups of coffee; and served 120 donuts, more than 1,600 pancakes, and 1,120 sausages.

“We are happy to help!” said Aldo Paier, treasurer of the West Springfield Lions Club. “We are already thinking of ways we can be more efficient next year and putting plans in place. Most of our own fundraising happens right here at Eastern States during the Big E, so we are glad to give back. We are grateful to the Operations team for all their assistance, too.”

Jerry and Carrie Ferrindino, owners of local sugarhouse Ferrindino Maple, provided their line of products and answered questions about the maple sugaring process. Storrowton staff were moved by the support they received from guests and their partners at the Lions Club and Ferrindino Maple.

“We at Storrowton Village are touched,” said Samantha DePergola, assistant director of Storrowton Village Museum. “We appreciate the West Springfield Lions Club, Ferrindino Maple, and our loyal volunteers for docent-led tours and demonstrations. Maple Harvest Day inevitably warms the hearts of all in attendance, our team included. We hope those dining and learning with us felt welcome, both those new and those returning.”

As an educational extension of ESE, Storrowton Village Museum is committed to preserving New England’s history through its nine 18th- and 19th-century buildings in West Springfield and presenting an engaging calendar of educational events. The proceeds from Maple Harvest Day and Pancake Breakfast benefit the village’s year-round, hands-on programming.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Maple Harvest Day & Pancake Breakfast returns to Storrowton Village Museum on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can learn about the history of maple harvesting in New England while indulging in a meal provided by the West Springfield Lions Club and local sugar shack Ferrindino Maple. Advance discount tickets for the breakfast are available for purchase at storrowtonvillage.com, but walk-ups are welcome through 11:30 a.m.

“It’s the first event of the spring for the West Springfield Lions Club,” said Aldo Paier, treasurer of the group. “From that point on, we are busy all year through the Big E. It is the best way to start our year, and we always look forward to it.”

Maple harvesting is an authentic, centuries-old New England tradition. Early European settlers learned how to make maple sugar from Native Americans, then set up sugar camps near maple tree groves. Despite the time and labor production required, maple sugar was a very important resource that was regularly traded and sold. It remains a staple of New England’s identity.

The West Springfield Lions Club will be flipping pancakes and serving them hot off the griddle with pure Ferrindino maple syrup in the Village’s Greenwich Barn from 10 a.m. to noon. Plates include a side of sausage with coffee or juice. All proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to Storrowton Village Museum’s year-round educational programming.

“People come no matter what the weather is,” said Jessica Fontaine, Eastern States Exposition’s director of Storrowton Village Museum. “Our visitors acknowledge Maple Harvest Day as the start of spring, and we are happy that they choose to spend it learning with us.”

During the event, Storrowton Village’s historic Gilbert Farmhouse will be transformed into a sugarhouse, allowing visitors to learn how syrup has been harvested throughout many generations. From tree tapping to sap boiling, volunteers will demonstrate the process of harvesting and provide 19th-century, open-hearth cooking demonstrations. Guests will also have access to trade demonstrations, docent-led tours, trolley rides to the Eastern States Farmers Market and Wine Café, and a glimpse at the second floor of the farmhouse. Ferrindino Maple will offer information sessions, product tastings, and maple items for sale.

“I think it is interesting for families to come see the maple harvest craft,” said John Leary, past president of the West Springfield Lions Club. “There aren’t many places where people can see demonstrations like this, and they get to enjoy breakfast.”

Photography is allowed throughout the event. It is recommended that guests dress in layers and wear sensible shoes. The Gilbert Farmhouse is not wheelchair accessible. In the event of severe weather, Maple Harvest Day will be canceled.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Storrowton Village Museum will host its second Family Camp Day on Monday, Aug. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more than 30 years, Storrowton Village has hosted the Early American Summer Days youth camp for children ages 6-12. To kick off the 2025 summer program, Storrowton Village invites the whole family to come enjoy an afternoon at summer camp.

Families can jump back into the 19th century and participate in a variety of immersive activities. The schedule for Family Camp Day is as follows, with activities for all camp participants together as well as in small groups.

• 11:30 a.m.: Arrive and visit the Eastern States Exposition History Museum.

• 11:50 a.m.: The Music, Theater & Dance (MTD) Group’s performance of “Toys & Games.”

• 12:30 p.m.: Picnic on the Village Green (bring your own lunch), with dessert provided by Storrowton Tavern.

• 1-2:30 p.m.: Play games on the green and tour the museum for hands-on activities, including quill pen writing, beeswax candle making, and more.

“This Summer’s Family Day show is called ‘Toys and Games,’” said George Garber, executive director of the MTD Group. “It will feature the MTD Group, a cast of junior and senior high school performing arts students. The theme is inspired by the fun toys and games we’ve all enjoyed.”

The troupe performs throughout the Pioneer Valley, including occurrences at the Village’s Meetinghouse, as well as the Westfield Theater Group, a division of the Westfield Women’s Club. They were also featured at West Springfield’s 250th Anniversary Gala. Their recent productions of Six the musical and Mean Girls in concert garnered positive reviews.

Registration is $6 per person and can be purchased in-person on the day of the event or via storrowtonvillage.com. Family Camp Day is held rain or shine and will be canceled only in the event of severe weather.