Maine Maple Sunday? (Bangor, Gorham, Belfast: 2013, how much, house)

[birdinmigration]

Does anyone know when it is this year?

And does anyone have a hot tip of a great syrup producer that holds a good event on that day? I've had several disappointing experiences, and one great one. One year, a local one (I am in York County) closed early for no particular reason, and I had driven 2 hrs. to get there. One place was really well set up, but so popular that there were lines down the road for the pancake breakfast. One place boasted maple products and a petting zoo, and it wasn't at all!

So I want to try this year. For the life of me, I can't remember which location had the great event! That was a few years ago.

Failing that, I'll just go to Reny's for my syrup and forget the whole thing.

[WhoFanMe]

It's usually the last Sunday in March, we went a couple of years ago to Merrifield's in North Gorham and the lines were a mile long to get pancakes and it was cold as we had just come back from Florida. There were shorter lines to see some other exhibits and stuff. Last year was rainy, so we skipped it.

[maineguy8888]

It's the 24th. Good luck!

[birdinmigration]

Originally Posted by WhoFanMe

It's usually the last Sunday in March, we went a couple of years ago to Merrifield's in North Gorham and the lines were a mile long to get pancakes and it was cold as we had just come back from Florida. There were shorter lines to see some other exhibits and stuff. Last year was rainy, so we skipped it.

Yeah, I think that's where we went too. When we finally got our pancakes, like an hour later, it wasn't even worth it. I got some fantastic maple taffy though. I've never seen that in the stores (except maybe Golden Taffy in York).

[Newdaawn]

For the most part, in my experience, the Maine Maple Sunday has been disappointing. One year we drove about an hour to a sugar house north of us to find it was nothing more than a store selling maple products. Year before last we drove south a bit to the Belfast - Belmont area to stand in line for half an hour in the freezing cold wind to get into the sugar house. To be fair it was interesting but so cold to be outside so long waiting. It is always interesting to travel on some roads we had never been on. The best experience in my local area would be Nutkin Farm in Newburg, where you can actually walk among the trees that are tapped. I think this year I will skip it.

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

For the most part, in my experience, the Maine Maple Sunday has been disappointing. One year we drove about an hour to a sugar house north of us to find it was nothing more than a store selling maple products. Year before last we drove south a bit to the Belfast - Belmont area to stand in line for half an hour in the freezing cold wind to get into the sugar house. To be fair it was interesting but so cold to be outside so long waiting. It is always interesting to travel on some roads we had never been on. The best experience in my local area would be Nutkin Farm in Newburg, where you can actually walk among the trees that are tapped. I think this year I will skip it.

These places are not designed for the general public, some marketing whiz at a trade association probably cooked up the idea to help their members make a killing one day a year. I was fascinated as to how much raw material went into so little syrup, which is why it is so expensive.

[Newdaawn]

WhoFanMe - I suspect you are right. I do however like "Open Farm Days" in June or July. We have see some great places we otherwise wouldn't have known existed.

[maineguy8888]

We've always had a blast at the places around here..........several good ones. The kids love it.

[mainegrl2011]

Visit a farm and buy syrup or buy syrup at Reny's or Hannafords or at the Blue Hill Fair Labor Day weekend or order it online. Make your own pancakes. I use maple syrup on oatmeal, sweet potatoes and on pork roast while it's cooking...add homemade apple sauce and cinnamon....If you forgot to freeze Maine blueberries for your pancakes, buy Wyman's frozen.
Maine Maple Producers Association

http://www.getrealmaine.com/index.cf...38A33.railo-03

maple syrup served next to a campfire "weather permitting"....should be plenty warm enough Maple Syrup Sunday at Norumbega Farm | Sun Journal

[Newdaawn]

If you are going to be in the greater Bangor area over Maple Sunday you might consider checking out the Curran Farm Homestead out in Orrington. They make a weekend of it, with samples of many different kinds of food, music, animals etc. They do charge $8 for non members and less for kids - it is a non profit. It is on both Saturday and Sunday the 23 -24th. Also has blacksmith demonstations.