Mar 5-11 (York)

Good morning, York Parents. Happy Wednesday! Do you want the good news or bad news first? Bad news: we're going to lose an hour of sleep on Sunday thanks to daylight saving time. The good news? Sunrise will finally arrive before our alarms go off starting next week. It's been a tough winter in many ways, and I'm hopeful this spring brings lightness and stability for everyone. This weekend kicks off maple syrup season with three festivals running Saturday and Sunday, Ramadan Souk fills Vaughan Mills all weekend, and International Women's Day celebrations at Newmarket Library. Hang in there—we've got this!

What York Region is Talking About

Curious Learners Cove: Play-Based Learning
Check out Curious Learners Cove on Instagram for play-based educational workshops, inquiry-based homeschooling, and learning pods.

Markham Festivals Win Top Ontario Awards
Celebrate local! Two of Markham's festivals have been awarded among Ontario's top festivals and events.

Taste of King Culinary Celebration Continues
There's still time to take part in the two-week culinary celebration of Taste of King!

Maple Syrup Season is Here!

Maple syrup season runs from late February through April across the GTA, triggered when daytime temperatures hit around +5°C and nights drop to -5°C. This sweet tradition offers families pancake breakfasts drizzled with fresh syrup, wagon rides through sugar bushes, taffy on snow, and hands-on demonstrations showing how sap transforms into liquid gold.

Parent Tips: Wear waterproof boots—early spring means mud! Dress in layers since March weather changes fast. Most festivals run weekends and March Break, with advance tickets strongly recommended for popular spots. Arrive before 11 AM to beat crowds and ensure your kids get the full experience. Pancake houses typically stop seating by mid-afternoon, so don't leave it too late if breakfast is a priority!

We'll be sharing maple syrup events across the GTA in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for festivals near you!

What to Do

Thursday, Mar. 5

• 📜 Make a Fortune Teller | FREE | Stouffville Library, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Friday, Mar. 6

• 🌙 Ramadan Souk | FREE | Vaughan Mills, Vaughan

• 👩 International Women's Day Celebration | FREE | Newmarket Library

• 👶 Little Learners Play Hour | $ | Ages 1-6 | Georgina Ice Palace, Georgina

Saturday, Mar. 7

• 🍁 Maplefest | $ | Brooks Farms, East Gwillimbury

• 🍁 Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Syrup Festival | $ | Pefferlaw Creek Farms, Georgina

• 🌙 Ramadan Souk | FREE | Vaughan Mills, Vaughan

• 🍁 Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival @ Kortright | $ | Kortright Centre for Conservation, Vaughan

• ⚡ 5th Annual INSPIRE Event | FREE | Youth | Central York Fire Station, Aurora

• 🌟 Astronomy Family Night - "The Ultimate Zoom Lens" | $ | Ages 7+ | David Dunlap Observatory, Richmond Hill

• 🌸 Spring Flowers and Persian Patterns | FREE | Richmond Hill Library - Central Branch

Sunday, Mar. 8

• 🍁 Maplefest | $ | Brooks Farms, East Gwillimbury

• 🍁 Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Syrup Festival | $ | Pefferlaw Creek Farms, Georgina

• 🌙 Ramadan Souk | FREE | Vaughan Mills, Vaughan

• 🍁 Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival @ Kortright | $ | Kortright Centre for Conservation, Vaughan

• 🐾 PALS Drop In (Pet Assisted Literacy Support) in the Library | FREE | Markham Library - Milliken Mills Branch

Monday, Mar. 9

• 🎨 Create a Friendly Tuxedo Cat with FIMO Clay | FREE | Ages 5+ | Staples Yonge and Steeles Store, Vaughan

• ☕ The Parent Pause | FREE | Parents and babies | The New Years, Richmond Hill

• ✏️ Felt Animal Pencil Topper Craft | FREE | Ages 6+ | Stouffville Library, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Tuesday, Mar. 10

• 👶 Life with a Baby Playdate at Just Kiddin' | $ | Parents and young children | Just Kiddin', Aurora

• 🐵 Curious George Party | FREE | Richmond Hill Library - Central Branch

• 🍽️ Feeding Young Children: Strategies for Feeding Toddlers and Preschoolers | FREE | Parents and young children | EarlyON Markham Gateway Public School, Markham

Wednesday, Mar. 11

• 🛍️ Downtown Aurora Fresh Food Market | FREE | Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora

• 🛍️ Richmond Hill Fresh Food Market | FREE | Community Christian Reformed Church, Richmond Hill

Thanks for reading! See you back here, next Wednesday!

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