New York State’s Maple Weekend will take place March 19-20 and April 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. During both weekends, producers from across the state will welcome families to their farms to experience firsthand how real, mouthwatering maple syrup and other related maple products are made. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy fun, family-friendly activities, taste New York’s freshest syrup and purchase maple products directly from the source.

Each year, New York ranks as one of the top maple producing states in the US. As spring temperatures begin to rise in late February and early March, maple trees and sugar bushes come alive with activity. In northern New York, when sap begins to drip through sugaring lines, it's a sure sign that maple sugaring season has begun.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that maple syrup production in New York reached its highest level in 70 years, allowing the state to retain its standing as the second highest producer of fresh maple syrup in America. New York’s maple farmers persevered through a challenging winter to produce a modern record of more than 601,000 gallons of syrup from more than 2.3 million taps across the state during the 2015 season.

Locally, Rand Hill Maple in Altona, NY operated by the David Smart family, has been ranked 18th on the 2015 Maple Almanac’s list “Top 20 U.S. Sugarmakers by Taps” with 52,000 taps. Parker Family Maple Farm in West Chazy, NY made the list in 2013 with 45,000 taps.

“Once again, New York’s maple syrup industry is thriving and breaking records in spite of tough conditions,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our state is an agricultural leader, with some of the most dedicated entrepreneurs and finest products around, and I encourage New Yorkers and visitors alike to discover this fantastic Empire State product for themselves.”