2026 Maple Weekend!

Hey everyone! The big weekend is finally here, and it’s time to celebrate Maple Weekend across four New England states—New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut—on March 21 & 22, 2026. Each state has its own maple associations sharing lists and links, but I get a lot of questions about my favorite spots. While I can’t share all my top regional picks, I’ll tell you about some of my favorite local farms and activities around Rochester, NH.

My Maple Saturday often kicks off with a breakfast at the pancake breakfast at the Barrington Fire Department. It runs from 7 am to 11 am. Good food for a good cause! Watching firefighters cook up a storm, enjoying syrup from Spring Harvest just across the street, and feeling the community vibe makes it a perfect start. Many local fire departments come out together to support each other, which adds to the fun.

After breakfast, I head straight across the street to Spring Harvest Maple Farm to visit Josh. I’ve been going there since at least 2011, and I try to make it my first stop when I am visiting NH sugar farms on Maple Weekend. They’re open from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday. It feels like they’re always trying to have something new—whether it’s a fresh sweet treat or a classic maple candy. Their plain maple candies are my go-to; they set the standard for all others. There are other farm’s products that are smoother and easier on the mouth, but few that reach the taste I have come to love. I usually also pick up some maple popcorn and baked goods while I’m there.

Another favorite is Sugarmomma’s Maple Farm in Northwood. I first visited her years ago, and she shared her story about being a mom, raising her kids, and starting her maple journey with supplies from the local hardware store. I really need to catch up with her during the off-season to hear more of her story. Deb works hard with her maple operation, and although she won’t be open in Northwood during Maple Weekend because she’ll be at a Farmer’s Market elsewhere, she will be open Sunday. you can still buy her products at the Granite State Fair or from her Sugar House. I love that I can also purchase her products from her Sugar House at the Granite State Fair.

Next on my list is Barbin’s Tap’n Shack in Barrington. This is a relative newcomer and I haven’t visited often, but I get good vibes every time I do. Their products are solid, and I’m planning to pick up some of their maple extract next time—I think it could come in handy. Their maple grove is right in front of the sugarhouse, which I appreciate because many sugarmakers have to transport sap from elsewhere.

2023

Another newer spot I like is Colonial Mountain Maple in Milton. Lee, the owner, named his farm after the area’s early homesteads, which adds a nice historical touch. His sugar shack burned down a couple of years ago, but he rebuilt it better than ever. I’ve enjoyed chatting with him about maple and land stewardship, and he’s involved in local town events, which I think is pretty cool.

2021 Old Sugarhouse

Then there’s Matras Maple, started back in 2002 by two brothers with the help of their dad. They initially boiled sap with a homemade setup, but by 2010, they had a beautiful sugarhouse. The farm stand is open year-round, and I’ve stopped by a few times to buy ice cream. Their dad, Gene, is also a talented pen and ink artist—I have a couple of his pieces, and I’ve seen his work in sugarhouses all over Vermont.

Another interesting place is Monkey Bear Farm in Milton, tucked into the side of the 125 bridge. It’s named after a quirky log statue Eric Ohlenbusch created—an attempt at a bear with a chainsaw, which turned out pretty odd but memorable. Monkey Bear started as a farm stand and now offers products year-round, along eggs and starter plants in spring. They once had maple marshmallows, which I’ve never seen anywhere else—definitely a treat worth trying.

To wrap up, I’ve put together a list of these farms along with some other ones I’ve visited and some others are on the NH Maple Weekend page that I haven’t checked out yet. Have fun exploring and tasting all the sweet goodness this weekend!

Spring Harvest Maple Farm8-3761 Frankin Pierce Highway Barrington NH
Sugarmomma’s Maple Farm10 – 2 Sun
213 Ridge Rd, Northwood, NH
Barbin’s Tap’n Shack9:30 – 453 Leeanna Drive Barrington NH
Colonial Mountain Maple11-5382 Teneriffe Road, Milton NH
Matras Maple10 – 4821 Catamount Road, Pittsfield, NH
Monkey Bear Farm11:30-321 Brown Road Milton, NH
MapleSaint9-428 Lang Road, Deerfield, NH
Dill Family Farm9-445 Griffin Road, Deerfield, NH
Madbury Maples??29 Nute Road, Madbury, NH
San-Wal Farm10-323 Lee Hook Road, Lee, NH
Oak and Briar Farm9:30 – 31271 Ten Rod Rd Farmington NH
Echo Ridge Sugar HouseSat 8-4, Sun 9-322 Cartland Rd, Lee, NH
Stonewall Sugar Shack10-31109 Franklin Pierce Hwy, Barrington, NH
Tuts Farm9-464 Bolan Rd, Milton, NH

What does Kate do when it’s not Maple Season? Check out the HodgePodge Images Blog

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Kate Wilcox

I bought my first digital camera when I was working among the Redwoods in California. I chronicled my many explorations during my trips down the west coast and while driving across the United States. I love photography – to be able to tell stories with pictures. I shoot with whatever camera I have at the time. I have been pleased with a number of Kodak EasyShares, have shot Canon and currently am working with Nikon and Ricoh (waterproof and macro) In 2009 I walked into my first Sugar House. The sweet smell permeated my brain and got into my blood. The science and beauty of Maple has been a passion ever since.

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