Mark your calendars for the 35th Anniversary of Maine Maple Sunday on March 25. Several Gorham maple producers will open their doors to their sweet operations for a day of educational demonstrations, tours, fun family activities and samplings of syrup and other great maple products. Most sugarhouses in the area offer free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, music, and so much more.
Traditionally, Maine maple season starts with a cold January and February, and producers tap their trees in mid-to-late February or early March, depending on where the sugar bush is located. Sap flows best when trees freeze at night and then thaw during the day.
Photo credit James LockmanJames Lockman of The Lockman Place, a “hobby operation” that only produces about 10 gallons of syrup a year, said, “The season started two weeks early for us. We tapped our first trees on President’s Day, and we started boiling two days later. The trees have been very productive so far, and we have been easily able to get ahead of Maine Maple Sunday. The early start and favorable conditions mean that this should be a bumper year for many producers here in Southern Maine.”
Some sugarhouses offer events on both Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to check the details for the spot you’re planning to visit. For a complete listing of participating sugarhouses, their locations, activities and schedules, visit The Maine Maple Producers Association website at www.mainemapleproducers.com.
Photo credit James LockmanZeke Lockman shovels out the sap house at The Lockman Place in advance of Maine Maple Sunday.
Joe’s Sugarhouse
443 Sebago Lake Road
Tour a timber frame sugarhouse with wood fired evaporator. Blueberry pancake breakfast 9 a.m. until we run out. Grass fed beef burgers from noon-4 p.m. Sample maple fudge, whoopie pies, candy, cotton candy, and ice cream with maple syrup. Farm tours, sugarbush tours, restrooms, handicapped accessible, bus and school tours. Hours: March 25 only from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Email farmerjo@maine.rr.com, Phone: 207-671-2189
Merrifield Farm
195 North Gorham Rd
Watch the boiling process, blacksmith working, antiques on display, 4-H Brass Knob Club giving cart rides, music, self-guided barn tour, play area for the children and a 1900’s ice house. Pancake breakfast (outside), maple syrup, candy, maple cotton candy, maple soft serve ice cream, smoked cheese, maple cream and more available to purchase. Portable restrooms. Hours: March 24 & 25, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. During the month of March we also offer school tours. Email merfarm@aol.com, Phone: 892-5061
The Lockman Place
274 North Gorham Rd
Small batches of maples syrup made by guys and a gal who love this stuff. Our syrup is certified Kosher by the Rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh in Portland. We have a simple, small operation that is only open on Maine Maple Sunday. Farm tours, sugarbush tours, handicapped accessible. Hours: March 25 only from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Email james@jameslockman.com, Phone: 892-9342
Parsons Maple Products
322 Buck Street
SAP boiler will be running all day for maple syrup making demonstrations. Pancake breakfast with our freshly made syrup, served from 8:00 am to noon. Free samples of our syrup over ice cream. Heated indoor seating. Maple products for sale. Sugarbush tours, bus tours, school tours, restrooms and handicapped accessible. Hours: March 25 only from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Phone: 207-831-4844