Ninth Annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend

The Ninth Annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses throughout Vermont, March 26-28, 2010.  The Open House Weekend is the public celebration of the maple syrup season in Vermont and an opportunity for the public to visit one or more “sugarhouses” throughout the state to learn about Vermont’s first agricultural crop of the year.

Activities during Open House Weekend will be different at each sugarhouse but will include the opportunity to watch maple syrup being made (weather permitting) and sample syrup and other maple products.

“Maple sugaring is a rich part of Vermont’s identity and heritage,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “The Maple Open House Weekend is a quintessential Vermont event that celebrates this timeless tradition."

Some sugarhouses offer tours of their “sugarbushes” and some have special activities for children. No two sugarhouses are the same so people are encouraged to visit more than one.

“There is nothing sweeter than visiting a local sugar house. From the tree to the table, you’ll see firsthand why Vermonters make the finest maple syrup in the world,” said Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee.

Vermont is the largest U.S. producer of maple syrup and produced 920,000 gallons of syrup in 2009. There are approximately 2000 maple producers in Vermont.

Information about all of the participating maple syrup producers including which of the three days they will be open and directions to their sugarhouses can be found on www.vermontmaple.org or in the “2010 Vermont Ski & Year-round Maple Syrup Guide” which can be picked up at any Vermont Welcome Center, or by calling the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing at 800-837-6668.