Many special events on tap for maple season
THURMAN, N.Y. » Many special maple season events are planned throughout the area, starting with an annual Thurman Maple Sugar Party from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at Thurman Town Hall.
This community dinner with live musical entertainment is highlighted by jack wax, a tasty maple dessert treat, and serves as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
The party coincides with the first of three Thurman Maple Days weekends on March 1011, 17-18 and 24-25. Maple lovers can visit four different producers, plus other nearby types of farms.
For information about both events, go to www.thurmanmapledays.com.
More than two dozen sugarhouses in Saratoga County and neighboring counties will host free tours during Open House Weekends on March 17-18 and March 24-25.
“We’re inviting area families to come and experience first-hand the sights, smells, and sounds of maple sugar making,” said David Campbell, a Salem producer and association president.
Signs will be placed along roadsides both weekends to direct motorists to sugarhouses. For more information and a complete list of participating producers, go to www.upperhudsonmaple.com.
Later this spring, after all the syrup has been made, a twoday Maple in April Festival is planned for Hadley on Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29. The event includes all types of music such as jazz, bluegrass, rock, Americana and Christian songs, plus a new feature -- a Church Choir Sing-out when local choirs will perform their three favorite songs on a covered stage from 2-4 p.m. Sunday.
Also, Dogs Day in the Park is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, which includes a searchand-rescue dog demonstration, dog agility, nail clipping, a police K-9 unit and a pet parade.
The festival opens both days with pancake and French toast breakfasts, beginning at 8 a.m.
There will also be craft and food vendors, a syrup tasting contest, car and truck show, music, farm pets, horse-drawn wagon rides and children’s activities, plus sweet treats such as maple cotton candy, ice cream sandwiches and beverages.