Vermont
The spring maple sap harvest is one of Vermont’s sweetest and most special seasons and the fascinating process of making maple syrup will attract thousands of visitors to Vermont’s Annual Maple Open House Weekend.
The Sixth Annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses throughout the state on March 23-25. Activities during this weekend will include maple sugarhouse tours where visitors can watch maple syrup being made, sample maple products and learn more about why Vermont’s maple syrup is world-renowned.
Maple season in Vermont is a special time when maple producers around the state collect sap from sugar maples and boil it down to pure Vermont maple syrup. Steam billowing from sugarhouse roofs all around the state is a sign that sap is boiling.
Vermont is the nation’s leading producer of maple syrup with annual production between 400,000 and 500,000 gallons. Vermont’s high concentration of sugar maple trees is also one of the reasons it consistently offers the nation’s most vibrant fall foliage.
To combine maple syrup with other activities for the whole family, then be sure to hit the
Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans. This year is the 40th anniversary of the event and there’s definitely a lot to do.
The festival has everything from antique shows, to carnivals to arts and crafts displays. There’s also face painting, variety shows, the main street parade, youth talent show, crafts, a pancake breakfast and, of course, plenty of maple syrup and sugar.
Vermont is also a state that boasts great farm-fresh products. While visiting for maple season, why not check out one of the farms that are open to the public. Here are a few worthy of a visit:
Adams Farm in Wilmington where the Adams family have lived and farmed since the Civil War. Today the farm integrates traditional farm activities, agricultural education, family fun and homespun products.
Sugarbush Farm where Betsy Luce and husband Larry work the Woodstock farm she grew up on. Dairy and maple are the backbone of their operation. The Luces partner with several area landowners to work their land as well, keeping it open and productive. Thousands of visitors annually visit the farm to taste the maple syrup, see the milking parlor and find out more about the farm life.
Allenholm Orchards operated by Ray and Pam Allen in South Hero. The farm has been in the Allen family since 1870; its one of Vermont’s oldest commercial orchards.
For more information on springtime activities in Vermont, go to www.vermontvacation.com.
NEXT: Maine
