The smell of sap and the taste of fresh syrup drew crowds to sugarhouses across Maine as the state celebrated the 43rd annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend.

More than 100 sugarhouses statewide took part in this year’s event. At Balsam Ridge Christmas Tree Farm in Raymond, visitors got a firsthand look at how Maine sap is turned into maple syrup.

“So far we’ve had a great time, we have enjoyed all the maple treats,” said Doug Noe, a Portland resident.

Balsam Ridge Farm owner Dewey Lloy walked visitors through the process, explaining how sap moves through the evaporator. “Most of the evaporation is going to occur here in the back pan which is the evaporator pan and its going to come to the front pans which are syrup pans and now its becoming maple syrup at this point,” Lloy said.

Lloy said the farm plans to produce more than 300 gallons of syrup this year and expects more than a thousand visitors this weekend.

“It’s always nice to see the young and old and everybody that is just excited to get out and sample soon syrups and get stocked up on some syrup,” Lloy said.

Visitors sampled maple treats while listening to live music and exploring the Christmas tree farm.

“They always have great music and food and there’s always nice people to come see,” said Sam Menzel, an Oxford resident.

According to the Maine Maple Producers Association, Maine produces more than 575,000 gallons of maple syrup each year from more than 2 million maple tree taps across the state. As the state’s official sweetener, maple syrup remains a tradition that brings people back year after year.

“Its grown so much in the last years and its amazing to see how well their doing and i love to come support,” Menzel said.

Maine Maple Sunday festivities will continue across the state tomorrow.

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