The more than 12 million kids who watch “Arthur” on PBS every week know him as an animated character. Now they can see the 8-year-old for real when he visits the Chicago Children’s Museum. They won’t have any trouble recognizing him because he will be sporting his familiar red and white shirt and yellow cardigan and wearing his round glasses with the black rims. They will know him too by his oversize gestures when he waves or gives a high-five and by his happy, friendly personality. Arthur first appeared in the book “Arthur’s Nose,” by Marc Brown, published in 1976. His visit is a preview of the museum’s exhibit “Arthur’s World,” which will open in October. “Meet and Greet Arthur,” noon-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday and April 12-14, Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., $6.50; 312-527-1000.
— Nancy Maes
Easy maple syrup
Families can find out how making maple syrup has changed and grown easier over the years. They can take a walk in the woods with a naturalist at the River Trail Nature Center to find out how the trees are tapped to collect sap. Then they can see how Native Americans used to put the sap in a hollowed-out log, along with hot rocks to get it to boil down into syrup. They can also watch a demonstration of how the pioneers got the job done more quickly by using iron kettles, and then they can visit the sugar shack where a much more efficient modern evaporator accomplishes the process. Visitors will be able to sample the end product. Maple Syrup Demonstrations, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, free; 847-824-8360.
— Nancy Maes
Sweet time
Visitors can taste the sweet signs of spring this weekend by joining in a celebration of nature’s sweet gift of syrup. At a fair in Schaumburg, they can see demonstrations of maple syrup production and enjoy a pancake breakfast with syrup. Other activities include a pioneer sugar camp, children’s puppet show, hayride and syrup sales. Breakfast is held outdoors under a tent so dress appropriately. Sugar Bush Fair, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday and Sunday, Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, fair admission free, breakfast tickets $3-$4 in advance, $3.50-$4.50 at the door; 847-985-2100.
— Stephanie Price
More sweetness
Enjoy a sweet stroll through the woods and learn about nature’s secrets at a forest preserve, which will host a delicious outing where visitors can see the sap-tapping process and learn how sap is cooked into syrup. Maple Syrup Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday and March 24, Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 2609 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, free; 630-850-8110.
— Stephanie Price
Irish notes
A musical St. Patrick’s Day celebration is on tap at Gaelic Park Sunday. Five bands will play Irish music. A magic show and a balloon show will entertain the kids. Five bands, 2-11 p.m. Sunday, Emerald Room and Tara Room; Sham-rock Magic Show, 2 p.m. Sunday, Celtic Room; at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, cover charge $5 adults, $3 children under 12; 708-687-9323.
— Pat Harper
Biblical musical
The musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be on stage this weekend. The Oak Lawn Park District Theatre will present the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber rock ‘n’ roll view of the story of Jesus. “Jesus Christ Superstar,” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn, $14 children, $15 senior citizens, $16 other adults; 708-857-2200.
— Pat Harper
