Eager to support local operations, Mainers brave the chill on Maine Maple Sunday

Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is an annual event, with sugarhouses across the state opening their doors for visitors to see the maple syrup-making process and taste the final products.

Here’s a list of sugar shacks you can visit during Maine Maple Sunday Weekend

Maple syrup producers optimistic about season’s sap run

Warm weather last month allowed for early runs of what some farms report was a particularly tasty product.

Nothin’ sweeter than Maine Maple Sunday in central Maine

Many turn out for celebration of state's famous, much-loved maple syrup and other goodies.

Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is back at ‘full steam’

Loyal customers and comfort food cravings helped carry sugarhouses through the pandemic, but maple producers are excited to see visitors again, face to face.

Sap running, if slowly, as central Maine maple producers expect flow to rise with temperatures

Taps are out now, collecting sap to boil down into maple syrup, as back-and-forth weather has slowed maple sugaring slightly.

Maine Maple Sunday returns after pandemic pause

Events did not happen last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Though it may look different, Maine Maple Sunday is on this year

Several sugar shacks around central Maine will be offering an assortment of maple products this weekend to celebrate Maine Maple Sunday.

In photos: Despite a pandemic, Maine’s maple season remains just as sweet

Pure maple syrup is a beautiful thing, sweet, with complex flavors, and it can only come from boiling the sap from a tree, a time-consuming process dependent on the weather. This year was off to a slow start with a warm January and "stone cold" February, according to Michael Bryant of Hilltop Boilers in Newfield. But the sap is running in March, and the coming week should be a good one if it doesn't get too warm. Maine Maple Sunday is March 28, but this year the 38th annual event will have adjusted hours and options because of the coronavirus pandemic. Press Herald photographers visited some southern Maine makers busy producing syrup last week.

What to expect from the return of Maine Maple Sunday, with restrictions

Maple producers all over the state will participate this weekend, selling syrup and treats, but many won't have crowded events like pancake breakfasts, sugar house tours or wagon rides.