Birches in Winter (photo by Harri, courtesy of morguefile.com)

It is difficult to remember a time when some affordable family fun was more in order. If an outing amidst a wintry landscape sounds good, Upstate New York’s Maple Weekend is coming up. Families will be welcome free of charge at sugarhouses across the state on the weekend of March 21-22, and again on the weekend of March 28-29, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.

Over 100 maple producers will be hosting free open houses to demonstrate how maple syrup and other maple products are made. Guests entering the sugarhouses will be struck by the amazing aroma of the syrup. While there they'll be able to sample and purchase maple delights. Some of the sugarhouses will provide a variety of other activities to make visits especially memorable.

Maple Syrup's Origin

The first people to make maple syrup were the Native Americans of the Northeast, who called their delicious syrup, "sinzibukwud," which means, "sweet buds." The Native Americans used it as a flavoring for breads, stews, teas, vegetables and cranberries. We’re all forever in their debt for teaching their trade to French and English settlers.

During the colonial period maple sugar became the principal sweetener in North America. When cane sugar was introduced, many colonists still preferred dried maple sugar because it did not involve West Indian slave labor.

For a list of participating maple producers sorted by county & maps to their locations go to: NYS Maple Weekend Locations

If you can’t make it to a sugarhouse but would like to purchase some of Upstate New York's fine syrup go to:
100% Pure Organic Maple Syrup