REGION — Sugarhouses in the Franklin County region will be hosting Maple Sunday events Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, to mark the peak of maple season in Maine.

For 39 years, Maple Sunday Weekend has drawn thousands of visitors to sugarhouses across the state the fourth Sunday of March. Here, visitors can tour facilities, buy maple products and enjoy the spring weather.

Dream Works Sugar in Starks will be open Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s their first year participating in Maine Maple Sunday with the Maine Maple Producers Association, owner Erika Hamar said.

They just applied last weekend, she added.

Hamar said her husband, Joseph, is “really looking forward to giving people the tours, the samples, letting them know how it all works.”

Dream Works Sugar is still solidifying its plans. But Hamar knows for certain they’ll have syrup, cookies, possibly cupcakes and baked beans.

Black Acres Farms in Wilton will be running their Maple Sunday open house 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

They will have “goodies” including ice cream with maple syrup, cotton candy, baked beans and whoopie pies, owner Russell Black said.

The farm will also be offering tours of its barn, where visitors can see the animals.

Due to the pandemic, Black said he had to cancel his 2020 event and there was less turnout in 2021. He is hopeful to see “a lot of people I haven’t seen for a couple of years.”

“It’s going to be nice to get back to normal and having people [come by],” he added.

JB Farm in Chesterville has a slew of activities planned Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Along side goodies, JB Farm will be showing visitors its animals and old tractors. The farm will also do a 4-H showing.

Owner Tyler Jenness said visitors will also be able to see maple syrup demonstrations and do tastings in the sugar house.

Jenness said he’s excited for “everyone getting out and having a good time.”

JB Farm will sell syrup, baked beans, donuts, whoopie pies and other canned goods. Alongside the maple products, JB Farm will also have their meat products for sale, including beef, chicken, turkey and pork.

Maple Valley Farms in Jay will be continuing its long-standing tradition with an open house Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For owner Tony Couture, running Maple Valley Farms is a family tradition. The farm has been running for three generations, Irene Couture said.

The current sap house has been running for 20 years, she added.

Irene Couture is optimistic about the weather for Sunday and the preceding week while syrup production is in full swing.

The farm will be serving ice cream with syrup, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.

They will serve Maple Sundaes, where they heat up syrup and pour it on snow. Additionally, the farm is conducting a raffle where four recipients will win a quart of dark amber syrup.

Irene Couture said she feels Maple Valley Farms is a stand out in the region because of the farm’s “special process.”

Irene and Tony are excited to offer visitors the opportunity to see their process.

More information about farms participating in Maine Maple Sunday can be found at https://mainemapleproducers.com/events/maine-maple-weekend/#!directory/map.

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