Those at Saturday's Maple Sugar Festival at Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood had a sappy sweet time.

About 1,700 people attended, a record for the event, said Kevin McCarthy, interpretive center manager at Rockwoods.

Those attending were able to see sugar maple trees tapped. The sap was boiled down at to make maple syrup for pancakes, sugar poured on snow, pure maple sugar, and maple sugar kettle corn, which folks got a chance to taste. Kids took part in a craft, making samaras, which are cardboard whirlybirds that resemble maple tree seeds.

New this year were Trials of the Time stations, McCarthy said.

"People could use electric or hand drills or a wood chisel, which is what the pioneers used, to tap a sugar maple stump," he said. "We also had a fire starting station, where people could use a flint or a bow and drill, which are historic methods, for fire starting. And kids could haul firewood or jugs full of maple tree sap, weighing eight to 56 pounds, though an obstacle course."

The festival is meant to connect people to nature and forest resources, McCarthy said. It also focuses on changing forests.

"Historically, Missouri didn't have many sugar maples, but with more forest management and fewer fires, we now have more than ever," McCarthy said.