SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Covid cancelations are back.

After two years of planning and preparation, the “Maple at the Falls” Niagara Falls NAMSC/IMSI meetings scheduled for late October, have been canceled.

The New York State Maple Producers’ Association said in an announcement Thursday that the planning group attempted nearly every avenue to make the meetings work and to ensure that they would be held.

But Canadian border closures and restrictions, a rapidly rising COVID 19 infection rate nationwide, travel restrictions being placed on research presenters/specialists and vendor hesitation left the committee with few choices.

Anyone who preregistered for the event can get a full refund, the group said.

“The NYSMPA is grateful to all who preregistered and please know that we are now arranging for full refunds," the group said. "If you registered with one of the convention hotels, make sure that you cancel your accommodation in a timely manner to avoid a cancelation fee."

It is the second year in a row that the NAMSC meeting has been canceled.  Next year's conference is scheduled to take place in LaCrosse, Wisc.

Meanwhile, the Southern Symposium maple event scheduled for Sept. 24-25 in Morgantown, W.V. is also being reviewed.

Organizer Michael Rechlin said the event planning committee was meeting next week to discuss the situation.  He said there was concern that the Canadian border restrictions could hinder speakers and presenters.

Over at Bascom Maple Farms in Alstead, N.H., their Sept. 17-18 open house event is still scheduled to happen despite devastating road damage from rains last July.

“Crane Brook Road from the south will be closed for several months,” said owner Bruce Bascom. “We are accessible from the west from Springfield VT and also from Acworth Town to the east.”

Other fall maple events like the Wisconsin Fall Maple tour in the Marshfield, Wisc. area for Oct. 1 and the Pennsylvania Fall Maple tour scheduled for Oct. 8-9 in southwestern Pa. are still scheduled to take place.