PALMYRA — Maine Maple Sunday has been a tradition for nearly 40 years that keeps Maine’s maple industry flowing and gathers so many people.
“About $27 million a year comes into the state economy due to maple syrup. With that, the Maple Sunday numbers, well, good farmers don’t tell how much they make on an event,” said Scott Dunn, president of the Maine Maple Producers Association.
The highly anticipated event is often seen as a cabin fever reliever holiday. Dunn said it’s the first weekend to get out and enjoy the spring weather after being cooped up all winter long.
“It’s a chance to get out and support your local producers,” Dunn said.
Local sugar houses took a hit last year, thanks to the 2020 cancellation.
“It was a loss,” said Hollis Edwards, co-owner of Eureka Farms in Palmyra.
This year, more than 100 locations are safely tapping into the tradition.
“We’re family friendly,” Edwards said. “They come, they spend two, three, four hours. They miss that and we miss having them here to do that.”
Eureka Farms typically sees thousands of people come to their Palmyra location during Maine Maple Sunday. This year they’re taking it off-site and using a popular COVID-19 approach — a drive-thru event.
“We’re going to be right at the end of the road at Rowell’s Auto Sale. It’s at the corner of Route 2 and 152,” Edwards explained.
He has been a part of Maine Maple Sunday for 10 years. He assures his customers he’ll be there, along with his usual volunteers and maple products.
Customers don’t need to get out of their cars but, according to Edwards, they can buy the classic farm products they crave.
“There is nothing about maple syrup season that we don’t like,” Edwards said. “I think the biggest thing will be the opportunity for us to say thank you to people that come and support us.”
