10 ways to enjoy Thurman Maple Weekend: Adirondack Family Activities

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By Diane Chase
Here are ten ways to enjoy Thurman New York (NY) Maple Weekend this March 12-13. With the weather starting to warm up, the sap will start running and it will be pancakes for everyone! 


March 12-13, 2011


1) 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm. (on Saturday and Sunday)


2) Grab your snowshoes or borrow a pair from Adirondack Gold Maple Farm and walk around the 35 acres of trails. 

3) See sap collection the old fashioned way with buckets and spigots at Adirondack Gold Maple Farm as well as tubes as they boil sap over a wood fire


4) Go green and see an energy-efficient sap collection model at the largest sap producer in Warren County, Toad Hill Maple Farm


5) Toad Hill has around 4,000 taps at three sugarhouses. Do you think you can visit each one? See demonstrations and browse the maple candy aisle!


6) See beautiful maple wood products at Martin's Lumber or handmade paper jewelry and stained-glass stepping stones. See how sustainable forestry works! 


7) 4:00 p.m. starts the annual Maple Sugar Park at Thurman Town hall in Athol. This all-you-can eat buffet also serves as a benefit for the American Cancer Society. The $10/adults, $5/(kids 6-11), Free (5-under) goes toward fighting cancer while providing live music and food.


8) Find out what jackwax is by having your fair share of maple sugar on snow or maple toffee


9) Sample, sample sample all the sap and syrup at the various locations


10)  Download a map that shows all the various destinations! 


( #7 is only available on Saturday, March 12) 


Don't forget that the New York State Maple Producers' Association Maple Weekend is March 19-20 and March 26-27. So if this weekend doesn't fit your schedule there will be plenty of choices on where to get a real maple treat.

 Photo: Adirondack Gold Maple Farm. Used with permission

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