Montpelier, Vt. – Maple Open House Weekend is Vermont’s most anticipated spring event, bringing an estimated 30,000 visitors to tour the sugar houses and meet the sugar makers responsible for leading the nation in maple syrup production (nearly 1.8 million gallons averaged over the past 3 seasons).
On March 24 and 25, Vermonters can celebrate the current season’s crop with warm welcomes from sugar makers across the state, eager to educate and share the process of making maple syrup from sap. Visitors will get an inside look at the hard work that goes into producing each jug of syrup.
“Maple sugaring is part of our tradition and culture here in Vermont. I have fond memories as a child riding my snowmobile to a farm up the road, helping gather sap and learning how to boil at night,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Maple syrup is part of the glue that keeps Vermont intact and I’m proud to help bring our community together on Vermont Maple Open House Weekend.”
This year’s event has expanded the offerings and activities for visitors by partnering with local businesses who specialize in their own craft and support Vermont’s maple industry by including maple in their ingredients, on their menus and offered for sale at their locations.
“Pure Vermont maple syrup is a natural product that offers versatility. It’s not just for pancakes, but also great in savory foods, cocktails, on yogurt or granola and much more,” said Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “It’s great to see our local businesses taking advantage of a high-quality product made right here in Vermont, helping to boost our rural economy.”
When visiting sugar houses, visitors can expect traditional open house activities including sampling syrup, tours, pancake breakfasts, horse-drawn sleigh rides, sugar-on-snow parties and plenty of maple products to sample, including donuts, cotton candy and creemees.
Visitors are encouraged to travel the state to see how widely maple is produced and to share their Vermont experience on social media with the hashtags #ThinkVT and #mohw2018. To learn more about the weekend’s events visit, www.vermontmaple.org/mohw or contact Amanda Voyer from the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association at 802-858-9444 or amandav@vermontmaple.org.