One of New Hampshire’s most enduring rites of spring–the maple sugar season–will be celebrated this year with four special fun-filled weekend programs at the historic 1,400-acre Rocks Estate property. During March we are offering a fun, educational trip which will include the ins and outs of maple sugaring while you vacation in some of the area’s best lodging establishments.
For four consecutive Saturdays and two Sunday’s during March through the first weekend in April, the Rocks will offer a series of family-oriented education programs in which participants will learn all about the production of maple syrup. In the course of the program, topics to be covered will include:
- The history of maple sugaring, from the time-honored traditions of the Native Americans to the present
- Why sap moves in maple trees
- How to distinguish between red maple and sugar maple trees
- How to identify a maple tree when it is without leaves.
Participants will take a horse-drawn wagon ride around the Rocks Estate property and see up close the workings of a modern-day (pipeline collecting system) and visit an operating sugarhouse. They will also learn how to drill and tap a maple tree. To top off each session, the program will finish with maple syrup and fresh donuts.
New this year the famous Polly’s Pancake Parlor from Sugar Hill will be cooking a shortened menus at the Maple Programs this spring. “We are very excited to be able to offer guests a jump on our regular season” says Kathy Cote of Polly’s
The new Maple Museum will also be open to complete the experience of sugaring in New Hampshire.
“The entire program is really geared towards families,” says Nigel Manley, longtime Director at The Rocks. “It’s educational, but a lot of fun, too. People really enjoy the experience of tapping a tree themselves, and find the visit to the sugarhouse a real treat.”
The Maple Sugar Programs, held in March, are open to the general public but reserving a spot ahead of time is required as program space is limited. For fee and registration information, contact The Rocks at 603-444-6228 or info@therocks.org.
The Rocks is teaming up with more than a dozen White Mountain area hotels and inns and offering the maple sugar program as part of a weekend vacation package deal. A complete list of participating inns and hotels can be found by clicking here. For more information or for reservations, call 603-444-6228 or e-mail info@therocks.org.
Inns participating in The Maple Sugaring Program at The Rocks