REGION — Maine Maple Sunday is set to take over the weekend of Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26.

This year marks the fortieth year of Maine Maple Sunday and sugarhouses in Wilton, New Vineyard, Industry and Farmington will be open to the public, along with many other maple producers across the state. In addition to selling products during the weekend, some producers provide free samples while others charge fees.

“The season started pretty good,” James Black of Black Acres Farm LLC said. We’ve made a bunch of syrup already. As long as the weather holds out, we should be good.”

Located on 123 Black Rd. in Wilton, Black Acres Farm LLC is looking to have a big turnout.

“We typically have quite a crew at Black Acres Farm with our sapping operation, plus the farm animals and stuff like that folks really like to come and see those,” Black added. “And then, of course, all kinds of goodies with ice cream and beans and free samples and stuff like that.”

Black Acres Farm LLC will be open on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also open will be Long Drive Acres Maple Farm, owned by Wilton Selectperson David Leavitt and his wife, Kristi Leavitt. The farm is located on 319 Temple Road and will be open both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Maine Maple Producer’s Association’s [MMPA] website, Long Drive Acres will be following the State’s COVID-19 guidelines and promises to have a quick tour available starting at the two 1,200-gallon tanks that hold the sap and end at the store where visitors will have their choice of the finished products such as maple syrup, maple cream, maple sugar, and maple flavored cotton candy.

Mystic Valley Maple, owned by Gerri and Jim Harvell, will also be open on both days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mystic Valley is located at 768 US Route 2 W in Wilton and will offer maple covered ice cream.

Hall Farms Maple Products, located at 989 US Route 2 W in East Dixfield hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Hall Farms promises to serve homemade donuts on Saturday from 9 to noon and on Sunday they will serve pancakes until they are sold out.

Hall Farms also promises lunch options, such as burgers and chili, as well as homemade maple soft serve ice cream.

In Industry at 227 Federal Row, True Mountain Maple will be open Sunday only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and, like many others, will offer an open house along with gluten free snacks and other savory options.

“We’ve been working 18 hours days just to get ready,” Kim Roberts stated in a phone interview.

In New Vineyard, Schanz Family Maple, 773 Barker Road will be open both days – Saturday hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday hours 12 to 5:00 p.m.

Also located in New Vineyard is Shady Lane Sugar Shack, located at 108 Brahmer Rd. They will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will serve free ice cream with warm maple syrup and maple popcorn samples.

Maple Hill Farm, 390 Titcomb Hill Road in Farmington will also be open Sunday from roughly 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be serving ice cream.

For more information on these producers and Maine Maple Sunday in general, visit mainemapleproducers.com.