Ever wonder how pure maple syrup gets from a tree to the table? A free demonstration and tasting opportunity will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea, one of several maple syrup programs that will take place at Minnesota state parks this spring.

Participants will learn how to identify and tap the right kind of tree as well as how to boil the collected sap until it is sweet enough to serve.

Generally, sap runs best from about mid-March to mid-April, when temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s during the day and below freezing at night, according to a press release sent by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It usually takes 30 to 40 gallons of sap from a sugar maple tree to get a gallon of pure maple syrup.

The maple syrup program at Myre-Big Island State Park is free, but a vehicle permit is required to enter the park — $5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit. Due to space limitations, advance registration is required.

For more information, including a complete schedule of the 2016 maple syrup programs taking place at Minnesota state parks, visit www.mndnr.gov or call the DNR Information Center at 1-888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.