Maine Maple Sunday is a classic tradition that helps to remind people that spring is just around the corner! On the fourth Sunday in March, Maine sugarhouses open up their doors to the public, providing an opportunity for locals to see how the pure maple syrup is made.
Most sugarhouses provide free samples of their homemade syrup, usually in the form of syrup over vanilla ice cream, but I have also seen other maple hors d'oeuvres sampled as well. You can also buy all sorts of maple delicacies, such as maple cotton candy, maple butter, maple candy, and many other delicious products.
While some farms strictly are selling their product, others have activities for the whole family to enjoy. Merrifield Farm in Gorham, Maine is a popular Southern Maine destination on Maine Maple Sunday. Besides the sugarshack tour, the farm has hayrides, live music, barnyard animals, a playground, and a blacksmith demonstration. Grab a maple coffee, a new addition for 2019, as you wait in line for the famous pancake breakfast! Merrifield Farm has even partnered up with Lone Pine Brewing Company to create a Maine Maple Sunday Beer! The farm is open from 9 AM - 4 PM, but lines can be long, and with no parking area on site, visitors must park on the street and walk to the farm.
This year I also visited Jo's Sugarhouse at Hartwell Farm, which is only a four minute drive from Merrifield. Although smaller than Merrifield, the farm offered everything you need for a successful Maine Maple Sunday, with a quarter of the people! Hartwell Farm served up their own pancake breakfast, and even offered local angus beef patties for lunch! There were a few animals in a small petting zoo, which was perfect for kids, and the sugarshack tour had their own sample of maple syrup ice cream! They even made their own maple whoopie pies and cupcakes! What is great about Jo's Sugarshack is that you get the full Maine Maple Sunday experience with less waiting time, and there's even a parking lot!
No matter where you decide to go, Maine Maple Sunday is a great way for locals to get a peek into what life is like tapping trees and boiling sap to create the maple syrup we all love, while supporting small, local businesses at the same time. Check out this list to see the participating sugarhouses, many of which are open both Saturday and Sunday due to popularity.
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