by Patricia Measer
New York State Maple Association’s annual Maple Weekends are nearly here! This year, the dates are March 18-19 and March 25-26. This is a great opportunity to take the kids out for a family-friendly event, or just go with friends to enjoy the taste of homemade maple syrup and other maple goods. Many maple farms across the region are offering tours, demonstrations, and specials on their maple products. Here is a sample of the many ways you can enjoy Maple Weekends!
Benz’s Sugar Shanty near Springville will have tours of their syrup-making operation and an explanation of the process from tap to table. They have a display of maple syrup related antiques, some over 100 years old! They are offering samples of many of their products that are available to purchase in their general store, and are selling maple hot dogs and maple milk shakes. Wright Farms in Farmersville also has a tour of their process, including their energy saving steamaway system, and will be serving jack wax (sugar on snow) throughout the day. Big Tree Maple in Ashville offers samples and demonstrations of maple cream and maple syrup. They are also an authorized dealer of maple sugar equipment, and are happy to discuss if you are thinking of starting your own maple farm.
Many sugar shacks offer a pancake breakfast featuring their syrup. This is a great way to truly try out a product, vs. just tasting a spoonful by itself. The Maple Association provides a map on its website, showing all producers who are offering a breakfast. See https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/pancake-breakfasts/. One example is Scott’s Farm and Greenhouse in Sinclairville. They are planning a breakfast for every weekend this month. You can stop by for a meal and then peruse their flower selection, and perhaps bring home and Easter Lily.
One of the largest producers, Sprague’s Maple Farms near Portville, has its own Restaurant and Pancake House. You can order breakfast all day long or try a lunch or dinner entrée from their menu of “down home cookin’”. Some of the items include maple syrup right in the recipe. They also offer special menu selections for tour groups. Sprague’s will have tours and wagon rides during Maple Weekends.
Interestingly, a number of wineries and breweries in the region use locally sourced maple syrup to make unique products. Ellicottville Brewery makes a Blueberry Maple Pancake Wheat Ale with syrup from Sprague’s Maple Farm. Black Squirrel Distillery in Buffalo makes a Maple Coffee Liqueur and a Maple Moonshine and Ellicottville Distillery makes a Maple Bourbon Crème all with New York State Maple Tree Syrup.
Johnson Estate Winery in Westfield is offering their unique maple liqueur and fresh french crêpes, Julia Child-style, with fancy ground toasted nuts for $5/person (no charge for Wine Club Members). The crêpes will be made in the Tasting Room, and no reservations are needed unless your group is larger than six people. The winery will have their popular French Crêpe Kits for you to take home.
No matter where you go on Maple Weekends, there is something unique to see and do. Come out and celebrate the maple season! For more information, visit https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/.