Families and nature enthusiasts flocked to Mt Pisgah on Saturday for the 4th annual "Sugar on Snow" event.
Organized by the Friends of Mt. Pisgah, the event offered syrup covered ice cones, homemade donuts, homemade ice cream, hot dogs, s'mores, music, arts and crafts for children, and a tour of how syrup is tapped from trees on Mt. Pisgah.
Open to the public and free of charge, 300 people had already attended by 11:30 a.m., and while Friends of Mt. Pisgah president Carl Young said things usually die down after noon, he expected about 500 total attendance.
Park Naturalist Nicole Harris showed children how syrup is extracted from trees while a crowd of about 30 people watched. After the short process was completed, kids were allowed to come up and taste the syrup fresh from the tap.
Inside of the park information center, a display was visible which labeled about 30 dead flower specimens, allowing onlookers to recognize what certain flowers look like in the current climate.
Music played throughout the building thanks to Nelson Waffle, who enjoyed his third year performing at the event. Waffle was armed with his electric guitar and banjo as he played soft bluegrass style tunes.
"I have been playing since I was about 5 years old," Waffle said as he strummed away at his guitar.
Also in the building was Johann Dickerson and Bev Smith, known by many as the "heritage ladies" who were teaching children how to make rag dolls out of cloth strips just like their ancestors did.
"Teaching kids to use left over material can be so rewarding, not just for us but for them," Dickerson said.
Smith noted that donations are accepted each year for the materials used to keep the children busy.
Because of the warm temperatures, no natural snow was on hand for the event, but the organizers decided to buy a snow making machine in order to continue the tradition.
Some kids struggled as they tried to churn the snow maker, but received help from volunteers at the event.
While the event was free to all in attendance, donations were accepted which Young said would be given directly to the park.
Young said the organization is completely non-profit, and while donations are nice, it isn't what the event is all about.
"I just like seeing people come out and have fun in an outdoors environment," he said.
Harris shared this sentiment, saying, "I have been park naturalist for 16 years now and I just like to see children come out and see what nature has to offer."
The temperature for the event was a very mild 45 degrees, which more than likely played a role in the large turn out, Harris noted.
"I was either hoping for two feet of snow or sunny and warm, and we got one of them," Harris exclaimed.
The money collected from the event will be used for park construction projects, notably towards plans for a second pavilion, an amphitheater, and possibly an ice house by the lake.
Tim Zyla can be reached at (570) 265-1634; or email: tzyla@thedailyreview.com.
