Springtime Sugaring is a Delicious, Time-honored Tradition
Vermont’s biggest harbinger of spring – maple sugar season – kicks off in March and continues through April with fairs, festivals, and family fun. As the largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S., Vermont knows how to celebrate the sweet
Depending on the festival, you may find a scavenger hunt, carnival, sleigh ride, or sugaring demonstration. Many will feature special treats such as maple cotton candy, maple kettle corn, or sugar-on-snow (served the traditional way with pickles and doughnuts). The granddaddy of them all is the Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans April 22-24, but maple fests can be found throughout the state this spring.
During the first weekend of April, sugarhouses across the state will open their doors to the public for an inside look at maple production. Learn more at www.VermontVacation.com/maple.
Sugaring Time Festival March 19, Sugarbush Resort
A delicious variety of maple-themed activities, including a resort-wide scavenger hunt.
Maplefest Celebration, March 19-April 3, Smugglers’ Notch Resort
Tours of local sugarhouses, daily sampling, games, sugar-on-snow, maple-infused food and beverages.
Maple Festival 2016, March 20, Middletown Springs
Watch a demonstration of early maple sugarmaking in a cast iron kettle over an open fire.
Lunenburg Maple Festival, April 2, Lunenburg
Pancake breakfast, photo displays, antique sugaring equipment, maple recipe samples, maple pie baking contest, maple quilt contest.
Maple Fest Celebration, April 2-3, Poultney
Horse-drawn carriage rides, raffle, and open sugar houses.
Open House Weekend, April 2-3, statewide
Watch as maple syrup is being made. Activities vary by sugar house; each has its own, unique character.
Maple Madness, April 2-3, Woodstock
Scavenger hunt, pancake breakfast, tree tapping, tastings, and a Maple Adventure bike ride.
Whitingham Maple Festival, April 2-3, Whitingham
Sugarmakers open their doors to visitors to give them a better understanding of the sap-to-syrup process.
Vermont Maple Festival, April 22-24, St. Albans
The biggest festival of all! Antique show, tastings, contests, craft show, comedy, face painting, carnival and more.
World Maple Festival, April 30, St. Johnsbury
Pancake breakfast, 5K run, street festival, crafts, food vendors.
Details on these events, maple season lodging packages, and “Follow the Steam” videos are available at www.VermontVacation.com/maple.