CONCORD, NH – Maple syrup lovers have a chance to indulge in spring’s syrupy sweetness in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont over the next two weekends, as the region celebrates what it does better than any other region of the country.
Maple syrup season is short, but sweet, and New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont’s maple producers traditionally invite the public to see what it’s all about at the end of March, when the sap turns to syrup in hundreds of sugar houses.
New Hampshire produced 167,000 gallons of maple syrup in 2022, good for sixth in the nation. Maine produced 590,000 gallons in 2022, and has consistently been third in the nation.
Neither state, though, comes close to touching Vermont, which in 2022 produced 2.55 million gallon of maple syrup, accounting for about half of the 5 million gallons produced in the U.S. (New York came in second, with 845,000 gallons.)
All three northern New England states host a weekend (or weekends) during which maple producers and farms open their doors to the public to celebrate the first maple crop of the season. Depending on the farm or sugar maker, events include pancake breakfasts, syrup-making demonstrations, tasting rooms, sugar-bush tours, music, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. Those visiting the farms won’t just find maple syrup and candy but also, depending on where they go, maple doughnuts, maple fudge, maple cider, maple beer, maple cake – you name it.
While March is Maple Month in New Hampshire, hosted by the New Hampshire Maple Products Association, it all comes together March 18 and 19, on New Hampshire Maple Weekend.
Events and hours are up to the farm or producer, and include everything from pancake breakfasts to demonstrations.
The NHMPA has an online list of producers that are participating and details of what they’re offering.
Granite States who want to keep the maple action going as long as possible can cross the border later in the month, and enjoy similar events across Vermont and Maine.
Maine kicked off its maple syrup season March 6, when Gov. Janet Mills tapped a maple tree in the yard at the Blaine House, Maine’s governor’s residence, in Augusta. The tradition not only kicks off the state’s maple season, but also begins the marketing campaign for Maine Maple Sunday Weekend – traditionally the fourth Sunday of the month. Many producers also have Saturday events, hence the awkward name.
The state has an interactive map with information about the nearly 150 producers participating this year.
Vermont celebrates the first maple syrup crop of the season with Spring Maple Open House Weekends, March 25 and 26, and April 1 and 2.
Sponsored by Vermont’s Maple Sugar Makers Association, more than 80 producers will “open the doors of their sugarhouses and invite visitors in to experience the joys and traditions of pure maple syrup.”
The association provides an interactive map with information about each participant.
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