Maple Mania comes to Farmington

Tim Bockus of Richford, Vermont, examines an older sap collector on display at Farmington Fairgrounds on Friday. About 100 people from around the state toured six local sap houses and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the fairgrounds as part of Maple Mania, the seventh annual gathering of the Maine Maple Producers Association. The event included technical sessions and a trade show at the University of Maine at Farmington. The event runs through Saturday.

Claude Doyon, right, of Wilton reminisces with Tom Walters  of Industry about his grandfather using a tub to collect maple syrup, similar to this one on display at Farmington Fairgrounds on Friday. The tub was drawn by horses, he said. About 100 participants of Maple Mania, the seventh annual gathering of the Maine Maple Producers Association, toured local sap houses and had a picnic at the fairgrounds. The event runs through Saturday.

Doug and Gail Tibbetts of Raider’s Sugar House in China add cream and nuts to a maple cream pie Friday at the Maine Maple Producers Association’s building on the Farmington Fairgrounds. About 100 participants toured local sap house operations Friday and had a picnic lunch at the fairgrounds as part of Maple Mania, the seventh annual gathering of the association.

Miguel Ibarquen, center, of CDL Maine of Wilton discusses equipment with John Lee, right, of Jefferson, during a trade show Thursday evening at Maple Mania, the seventh annual gathering of the Maine Maple Producers Association. Garth Atherton Sr., left, a maple syrup equipment provider for CDL Maine, listens. About 100 participants toured local sap house operations Friday. The event, which runs through Saturday, features demonstrations, producer workshops and technical sessions.