A Sappy Celebration: Maple Weekends Arrive

SARATOGA SPRINGS — March is Maple Month in New York State, and the nation’s second-biggest maple producer is ready to party.

New York’s 2,000-plus maple sugar makers produced 829,000 gallons of the sticky substance in 2025, and the state has the largest resource of tappable maple trees in America. 

To celebrate these sweet achievements, Maple Weekends will be held on March 21-22 and March 28-29.

“Maple Weekend is a tradition and celebration we all look forward to, especially after a snowy winter,” New York State Maple Producers Association Executive Director Helen Thomas said in a press release from the governor’s office. “For the 160 farms taking part in Maple Weekend, it’s an opportunity for them to open their doors and share the skill and passion behind what they do… Every participating farm offers an educational presentation or a demonstration, showing firsthand how maple syrup and maple products are made. For visitors, there’s nothing like tasting fresh maple syrup right from the source.”

Here’s a roundup of local maple-related events occurring this weekend and next.

• Hop City Maple in Ballston Spa is inviting people to experience the world of maple on both Maple Weekends. See the sap run down the tubing system to where the maple syrup comes out in the evaporator. Taste maple sap along with all the end products: maple syrup, candies, lollipops, maple fudge, and more. Pet the GOATs, taste maple, drink beer, and eat crepes. Dickinson Delight’s will be there serving their crepes and other food. Dancing Grain Brewery will be on site offering their farm craft brews, all New York grown and certified. Saratoga Wild Roots’ certified wild mushroom forager will be there as well.

• Twin Leaf Farms in Greenfield Center will host a special New York State Maple Weekend event on March 21 and 22. The family-friendly event will include a $5 pancake breakfast, guided farm tours, live maple-making demonstrations in the sugarhouse, local vendors, and live music. Guests can learn about the traditions and modern processes of maple sugar making, explore working farms, and taste maple products straight from the source.

• Sugar Oak Farms in Malta will be celebrating both Maple Weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See firsthand how maple syrup is made, from tree to table. There will be fresh maple coffee, free samples of maple syrup, and all of the farm’s products will be available for purchase. At the sugar house, chat with “Sap Commander” Erich to hear more about the family operation. Events include: 12 p.m. tapping demonstration, 1 p.m. sawmill demonstration, and a 2 p.m. sugarbush walk.

• Maple Valley Farm in Corinth will feature live music by Keanen Stark and Orion Kribs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its 30th annual Maple Open House, occurring both Maple Weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take part in maple tours and learn how the 6th generation farm makes maple syrup from tree to table. Visitors can also enjoy a pancake breakfast, featuring the farm’s pure maple syrup, as well as lunch items. Kids can enjoy pony rides, and there will be a variety of local vendors offering unique goods and treats.

• Taste NY at the Adirondacks Welcome Center in Queensbury will feature Maple Bingo and will offer weekly maple product sampling on Thursdays in March from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will also host an event, ‘From Sap to Syrup,’ on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will allow attendees to sample maple products, such as sap water, light syrup, dark syrup, maple sugar, and a hard maple cube, from local producers Wild Hogs Sugar Shack and Holly & Vine Farm & Winery. In addition, the Adirondacks Welcome Center will have educational and interactive displays, and samples of maple lattes and locally made maple hot cocoa, which will also be sold on site.