One of the things I love about writing this blog is that over the years I’ve grown increasingly aware of the subtle rhythms of New England agricultural life. I know that pick-your-own season officially opens with strawberries in June, that fresh berries and stone fruits start to top pancakes in local eateries in early July, and that corn mazes spring up anew each September. You can always catch a hayride (preferably to a pumpkin patch!) in October and the holiday season brings with it a chance to harvest a Christmas tree the old fashioned way.
But one of my favorite discoveries has been the brief (blink and you’ll miss it!) season of Maple Sugaring that generally happens late February into March. So I thought we’d put together a short list of fun ways to enjoy this short season! It’s going to be a tasty month.
Please note: Where possible, we’ve included our signature “Venue Preview” of destinations we have visited. While these posts may not be about these particular events, they should still give you a good overview of what to expect at each location.
Auerfarms Annual Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, March 5th, 2022 at 9:00am & 11:00am: Auerfarms in Bloomfield, CT hosts their annual pancake breakfast! Enjoy a formal pancake brunch followed by a tour of their maple sugaring process. Visit the maple trees to see how they are tapped and the sap is collected, then it’s off to the sugarhouse to see the boiling down process. An outdoor hot cocoa bar will warm you during the sugaring tour and sledding if the weather permits will also be available. Tickets are $20/adults, $10/kids and children under 4 are free. Two seatings: 9:00am and 11:00am. Buy tickets here.
OAAM Venue Preview; Website; Facebook Page
New Canaan Nature Center Syrup Saturday
Saturday, March 12th, 2022, 8:30-11:30am The New Canaan Nature Center hosts its annual syrup season celebration, Syrup Saturday: A Pancakes & PJs Party! Bring the whole family and join them for their annual syrup season celebration – you won’t want to miss their famously delicious Pancakes & PJs party, complete with TONS of fun syrup-related activities! They’ll be serving up flapjacks, syrup, and an array of tasty toppings. While dining for this event’s Pancakes & PJs party is available both indoors and outdoors, all other activities take place outdoors. Guests are welcome and encouraged to dress in their PJs! The day will also include tree tapping demos, a real maple sap “boil down,” sweet maple-inspired crafts, campfire with marshmallows, and a real v. fake syrup taste test. All attendees (children + adults) must purchase a ticket. $10/person; Non-Members: $15/person. Registration is required by 3/10/22 at noon. To register click here.
OAAM Venue Preview; Website; Facebook Page
Roaring Brook Nature Center Maple Sugaring Demo
Sunday, March 13th, 2022 from 2:00-3:00pm: Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, CT offers their annual Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard demonstration teaching you how to make maple syrup the easy way. They’ll cover the entire process from identifying the tree to the best part – tasting the final product. Cost: $11 each / $36 family of four. Please dress for cool weather while attending this family-friendly program. To register click here.
OAAM Venue Preview; Website; Facebook Page
Northwest Park Sugarhouse Tours
Northwest Park in Windsor, CT Maple Sugaring Winter 2022: Starting on 2/19/22 the sugarhouse will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (subject to change), for visitors to drop in and see the process of the beloved New England tradition of maple sugaring. On Saturday, February 26th at 2:00 PM they invite people to come out and help tap their trees during “Tap for Sap” led by their local maple sugaring expert, Chuck Drake. The event is FREE but reregistration is required. Click here to register.
OAAM Venue Preview; Website; Facebook Page
Lyman Orchards Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast Party
On February 26 & March 6, 2022 there’s a Maple Syrup Sugar Shack demonstration during brunch at the 1741 Pub & Grill located at Lyman Orchards Golf Course in Middlefield, CT. Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut’s traveling sugarhouse will be onsite for families to learn about the tradition of maple sugaring. Kids and adults can try their hand at tapping a “tree” before or after you indulge in our delicious ‘Pancake Party’ brunch menu. A delicious pancake menu awaits, strawberry, blueberry, apple or chocolate chip. Enjoy the outdoor demonstration with your paid brunch reservation. Limited reservations available. COVID guidelines strictly enforced. Reservations can be made by calling 860-349-6033.
ELCC’s Maple Sugaring Demonstration & Pancake Breakfast To Go
Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 8:00am-noon: The Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut’s annual pancake breakfast and maple sugaring demonstration at Indian Rock Nature Preserve in the Fuller F. Barnes Education Center @ 501 Wolcott Road in Bristol, CT. Adult and child-size “To Go” breakfasts include: Pancakes, bacon or sausage patties, and beverage. Pancake flavor options: Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate Chip or Plain. Beverage options: Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Milk, or OJ. Pure maple syrup included with each order PLUS a special “thank you” treat! Adults $10; Children (10 and under) $7, Advance registration required. Register here.
Flanders Nature Center Maple Syrup Making & Pancake Breakfast
Maple Syrup Demonstrations:
Maple syrup making demonstrations start 2/26/22 at the Flanders Sugar House at the Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury, CT. Reserve your time to visit the Flanders Sugar House as staff and volunteers demonstrate turning sap into syrup with an entertaining mix of science, stories and humor. The entire family will be fascinated by the maple sugar-making process! Saturdays, Feb 26 & March 5 & 12 and Sundays, Feb 27 & March 6 & 13. Choose a time between 1:00 – 4:00pm. Complimentary, but registration is required online. Register here.
Pancake Breakfast:
Bring the family and for the Annual Pancake Breakfast! Sunday, March 6, 2022 (snow date: Sunday, March 13) from 8:00am – 12:00pm @ Woodbury Emergency Services Building. The menu will feature all you can eat pancakes and sausage. All served with Flanders’ very own maple syrup, butter and beverage of choice (coffee, tea and/or orange juice). The cost for the breakfast is $9 for adults and $7 for children. Children under 2 are free. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Flanders’ education programs.
Lamothe’s Sugar House
Lamothe’s Sugar House in Burlington, CT will be offering tours on Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00-4:00pm from mid-February until the end of March for the 2022 season. Tours last about 30 minutes, and participants will learn a little history about maple syrup, learn how syrup is made, and get to watch while they are actually making maple syrup. Be sure to save time to browse their store for everything you need to get your maple fix! OAAM Blog Post; Website; Facebook Page
Maple Sugar Fest Sundays at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
February 27th, March 6th & 13th, 2022 from 10:00am-2:00pm: The Stamford Museum & Nature Center hosts its annual Maple Sugar Festival. Join them as they make their very own line of maple syrup from the 200+ mature maple trees found on their 118-acre campus. Each Sunday they’ll open their site at 10:00 am with added attractions, enhanced programming, and fun seasonal offerings including free giveaways and traditional favorites like colonial and Native American demonstrations. Online registration recommended. Walk-ins admitted as capacity permits. Find pricing info and register here.
OAAM Venue Preview; Website; Facebook Page
Maple Syrup Madness at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House
Maple Sugar Madness at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House in Glastonbury, CT is back for 2022! Sunday, March 13th, 2022 from 1:00-4:00pm. It is the time of the year to tap the maple trees and boil the sap down in the fire pit into sweet syrup. Visitors can sample pancakes straight from the colonial hearth smothered in local syrup.
There will be tours of the lower floor of our beautiful 1755 colonial mansion, tours of the barns, colonial and Native American games for the children to enjoy. Please park at rear of the St. Augustine’s Church parking lot on Hopewell Road and then proceed down the path to the Welles-Shipman-Ward property. Admission fee $5 for those over 10 years old.
Hebron Maple Festival
The beloved event returns! The Hebron Maple Festival is being held March 19th & 20th, 2022 from 10:00am-4:00pm. Pancake breakfast Sunday, 3/20 from 8:00-11:30am (you can pre-purchase pancake breakfast here). Visit local sugar houses for demonstrations, browse maple syrup and maple syrup products, and enjoy many other family-friendly activities.
Maple Weekend
Brought to you by the Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut March 19th & 20th, 2022: Visit sugarhouses and taste great maple products. During the two days, many sugarhouses across the state will be open for tours and will be selling their products. This is a great opportunity for visitors to learn how maple sap is collected and turned into delicious, sugary products.
Looking for even more maple fun? Check out the Maple Syrup Producers of Connecticut’s website for a list of CT sugar houses where you can buy pure CT maple syrup and even a map of all the sugar houses located in CT!
Originally posted on 2/25/22; please be sure to check each venue’s website for any event updates or schedule changes.
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