Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association - Maple Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 16, 2022

After two years of Covid cancellations, Maple Weekend is back April 2 and 3, 2022

The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association is excited to announce that after two years of
cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province will once again be showcasing a new crop of
maple syrup during the annual Maple Weekend, April 2 to 3, 2022. This year’s event will be a welcome
opportunity to get out to a sugarbush and see how maple syrup is produced from tree to table.

“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to sugarbushes again this year,” said Leann Thompson, Chair of the
OMSPA Maple Weekend working group. “After two years of COVID restrictions we are all eager to get out
and enjoy the beautiful weather and celebrate the maple syrup season in a safe and COVID-friendly
way.”

This year will mark the 8th year for Maple Weekend in Ontario. Each year, maple syrup producers across
Ontario welcome visitors to their sugarbushes over this two day event to buy fresh maple syrup and
celebrate Ontario’s maple heritage along with a new season of production.

Hosted by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (OMSPA), Maple Weekend is a fun, free,
two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates Ontario’s maple heritage at participating sugarbushes
across the province. This spring, the weather looks prime for record flows leading into April, and for the
two-day event.

During Maple Weekend, visitors to participating sugarbushes can expect to experience the best of maple
syrup season. Traditional maple syrup experiences will differ depending on location, but often include
taffy on snow, pancake breakfasts, sugar making demonstrations, outdoor activities, and chatting
one-on-one with the maple syrup producers who make this sweet liquid gold.

“Each year, many residents of Ontario look forward to their annual family trip to the sugarbush and the
chance to buy fresh maple syrup and celebrate the advent of spring,” Thompson said. “On April 2 and 3,
you can visit a new sugarbush, or head to an old favourite. You can stop at one location, or visit a few in
one day, or over the weekend, it’s all up to you!”

Officially launched in 2015, Maple Weekend has been steadily growing each year. In 2017, Maple
Weekend was nominated for Ontario Tourism Event of the Year, and in 2018 the event drew more than
15,000 visitors to maple sugar bushes across the province.

In 2022, there will be more than 60 producers taking part in Maple Weekend, with participants from the
following Ontario regions: Algoma, Algonquin Area, Eastern Area, Grey-Bruce & District,
Haliburton-Kawartha Area, Lanark & District, Ottawa Valley, Quinte & District, Simcoe & District, and
Waterloo-Wellington.

Maple Weekend is a celebration of the Canadian tradition of maple syrup production, and features two
full days of activities at participating maple syrup producers across the province. Running from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. both days, visitors can expect to enjoy tasting a new crop of maple syrup and getting an inside
look on how syrup is produced.

A list of participating Maple Weekend maple syrup producers is available on the Maple Weekend
website, along with further details about specials and activities for visitors at the more than 60 locations
across the province. Visitors are invited to visit the Maple Weekend website at www.mapleweekend.ca 
for more information.

About OMSPA

As the official voice of sugar makers in the province, OMSPA represents approximately 600 maple syrup
producers from across the province, who are committed to producing a high-quality product for
consumers to enjoy. Members are involved with a wide range of activities organized at the provincial
level or through one of the 11 local chapters located across the maple producing areas of Ontario.

For more information, contact:
John Williams
Executive Director
admin@ontariomaple.com 
613-258-2294