States press on with fall maple events

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The official logo of the nationwide fall maple open house tour, taking place over the next two weeks.
The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association has teamed up with the state tourism department for a statewide fall maple promotion campaign.

States press on with fall maple events

Spring Covid cancelations replaced with new ideas for fall promos

By PETER GREGG | OCTOBER 6, 2020

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Instead of apples and pumpkins, how about maple syrup?

States across the Maple Belt will be participating in a “Fall in Love with Maple” open house event throughout October, competing with traditional fall agritourism events.

“This year has been everything but normal, but one thing that has remained the same is the sweet golden syrup that we can celebrate as the autumn leaves color up,” said Helen Thomas, executive director of the New York State Maple Producers Association.

The Maine Maple Producers Association said its event to replace the canceled Maine Maple Sunday will take place October 9 to 11. The association said the weekend will include virtual elements as well as traditional in-person visits to the state’s sugarhouses.

"While the weekend of activities might look and feel a little different, we are confident we can provide the opportunity for people to safely celebrate pure Maine maple and support local producers,” Maine Maple Association president Scott Dunn told a local TV station.

Back in New York many maple farms across the state will be open some or all days between October 10 and 18. A list of locations is being promoted at MapleWeekend.com.

Meanwhile, in Vermont, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association is partnering with the state’s tourism department to promote the Maple 100, a celebration of all things maple in Vermont, said organizer Allison Hope.

The Maple 100 encourages tourists to explore new and unexpected parts of maple though the whole month of October, she said.

A broad promotion and advertising campaign is being funded by the state.

In Ohio, the state association there is promoting a Fall Driving Tour October 9-18 to replace its spring Maple Madness tour.

Roughly a dozen or so sugarhouses have signed up there for the promotion.