Maine Maple Sunday 2018
2018-03-15

Maine Maple Sunday 2018

Guest Blogger: JJ Roy

With warmer temperatures and increased daylight on the horizon, Aroostook County is gearing up for another successful maple syrup season. Syrup season officially begins March 4 and is a beautiful time in Aroostook County as the snowbanks start to get smaller and every passing day brings indication that spring is right around the corner. Maple syrup season happens to be the first harvest of the year in Maine and contributes about 27 million into the economy.

The process of making syrup from maple sap is a delicate process and I highly recommend a visit to a sugarhouse to observe and enjoy the fascinating process of converting sap to syrup/sugar. The transition from winter to spring in Aroostook County is considered a lengthy seasonal switch. This is great for winter enthusiasts who can enjoy snow activities in warmer weather but it also provides perfect conditions to harvest the sap from maple trees throughout our region. Warm daytime temperatures along with cold nights throughout the month of March allows for the maple sap to flow well and acquire the right sweetness and consistency.

As in years past, many sugarhouses will be celebrating Maine Maple Sunday which always occurs on the 4th Sunday in March. This year the 4th Sunday falls on March 25, 2018 (please note that many farms will be celebrating on Saturday the 24th as well) so make plans to visit a sugarhouse that weekend.

According to the Maine Maple Producers Association, we have 5 such farms in Aroostook County and each has a weekend full of festivities for families to attend and enjoy. Activities include tours, tastings, as well as events and games for the entire family. Aroostook Sugarhouses listed by the association include: Northwood Nectars, Rural Pride, Maple Moose, Spring Break Maple and Honey, and Sunnycrest Maple Farm.