The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Sugarhouses in Conn. celebrating ‘Maple Weekend’
Before the weather gets warmer and the leaves start to grow, trees in Connecticut undergo a different kind of change — one that’s a little sweeter.
Maple sugaring season runs from early February to late March. “Freezing nights and warm, sunny days are necessary for the sap to flow from the maple tree,” according to the Maple Syrup Producers Association of CT.
Sugarmakers drill holes into the trunks of the trees, insert a spout and attach buckets under those spouts to collect sap.
The clear liquid that flows from the trees contains 2-4 percent sugar, and the rest is water. According to the Maple Syrup Producers Association of CT, sugarmakers collect and boil the sap to give it that maple syrup taste and color. It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.
Connecticut residents can learn how maple sap is collected and turned into maple syrup by taking tours at participating sugar houses during Maple Weekend, March 18 and 19.
First County Bank Maple Sugar Fest Sundays Stamford
The Stamford Nature Center and Museum on 39 Scofieldtown Road is starting maple weekend early. The museum will host two “Maple Sugar Fest Sundays” on March 5 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests must register online.
Institute for American Indian Studies
Washington
The Institute for American Indian Studies is starting Maple Weekend early as the institute hosts “Maple Sugar Festival” on March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Museum educator and ecologist Susan Scherf will show different traditional techniques of collecting sap and boiling
it to syrup and sugar. Preregistration is requested.
River’s Edge Sugar House
Ashford
River’s Edge Sugar House will be open to the public March 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m demonstrating the broth process of making maple syrup.
Maple Syrup Festival Day
Ashford
The J.N. Webster Scout Reservation will be hosting its “Maple Syrup Festival
Day” on March 18 at 231 Ashford Center Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event also features a pancake brunch to go along with the maple syrup made.
Plymouth Historical Society
Plymouth
The Plymouth Maple Festival will be held on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Green, 10 Park Street. Guests will learn about different kinds of syrup and try them. Sugar on snow, a New England tradition, will also be available for tasting.
Sullivan Farm
New Milford
Sullivan Farm will be hosting an open house at 140 Park Lane Rd on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 19 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Parmelee Farm
Killingworth
The Parmelee Farm will be holding tours of the sugar houses while demonstrating and explaining the making of maple syrup both March 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hebron Maple Festival Hebron
The town of Hebron will be hosting its annual “Maple Festival” featuring maple foods, beverages, arts and crafts, music, a maple sugaring demonstration and more. The event will take place on the town green, 22 Main St., on March 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bright Acres Farm Sugarhouse
Hampton
Bright Acres Farm Sugarhouse will be holding an open house March 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will be able to visit the sugarhouse and try maple syrup. The event will go on rain or shine.
Brooksvale Park
Sugar Shack
Hamden
The Hamden Recreation Department and the Friends of Brooksvale Park will be hosting their annual Maple Sugaring Open House on March 18 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members and volunteers will be teaching guests the history and science behind maple sugaring. Heavy rain or snow will cancel the program.
Sweet Wind Farm
East Hartland
The 17th annual Maple Festival will kick off maple weekend a week early on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sweet Wind Farm on 339 South Road. The event features pancakes with the farm’s maple syrup, tours and live demonstrations.
Wilkinson Farm
Columbia
Wilkinson Farm is a small family-run farm that will be having an open house on March 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 10A Chesbro Bridge Road.