From Tree to Table: How Thurman’s Maple Syrup is Made
The Magic Behind Maple: A Time-Honored Tradition The process of turning clear, watery sap into…
Thurman Maple Days is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of hard work, heritage, and the families who keep the maple sugaring tradition alive. Every drop of syrup, every handcrafted product, and every warm welcome comes from dedicated local farmers and artisans who put their hearts into their craft.
During the event, you’ll have the chance to meet the makers—the folks who work long days in the sugarbush, fire up the evaporators, and carefully bottle the pure Adirondack maple syrup you know and love. Each farm has a unique story, and we’re here to share them with you.
Let’s take a closer look at the people behind Thurman Maple Days and what makes each stop on the tour so special.
At Toad Hill Maple, the Galusha family has been producing maple syrup for over 50 years. Their timber-frame sugarhouse is a sight to behold, featuring state-of-the-art equipment like a wood-fired evaporator and a reverse osmosis system that makes the process more efficient.
But what really sets Toad Hill apart is the experience. Visitors can take a wagon ride over their covered bridge and deep into the sugarbush, where they’ll see firsthand how maple trees are tapped and sap is collected. Inside, you’ll find a farm store packed with handcrafted maple treats like bourbon barrel-aged syrup, maple frosted nuts, and maple caramel corn.
🍁 Why You’ll Love It: Take a wagon ride, see large-scale maple production, and browse unique maple-infused goodies.
Run by a passionate local family, Mud St. Maple is as charming as it is delicious. Their small sugarhouse boils sap the old-fashioned way, producing a rich, robust syrup that visitors rave about.
One of the best parts of Mud St. Maple is the food—this is where you’ll find maple donuts, walkin’ waffles, and maple hot dogs that keep visitors coming back year after year. Warm up by the fire with a cup of maple coffee or hot chocolate, and don’t forget to grab some maple chili to fuel your adventure.
🍁 Why You’ll Love It: Cozy atmosphere, mouthwatering maple treats, and a true Adirondack farm experience.
If you’re starting your Thurman Maple Days journey early, Valley Road Maple is the perfect first stop. Why? Their legendary pancake breakfast!
Owners Ralph and Michelle Senecal, along with their family, invite visitors to sit down for a hearty breakfast featuring fluffy pancakes, Oscar’s Smokehouse maple sausages, and endless coffee. After fueling up, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their vacuum-assisted sap collection and stainless steel evaporator system—one of the most efficient in the area.
Beyond syrup, their farm store is stocked with maple candy, granola, peanut brittle, and even maple cotton candy for those with a sweet tooth.
🍁 Why You’ll Love It: Start your day with an incredible pancake breakfast, then take a tour of one of the most advanced sugarhouses in Thurman.
Candy Mountain Maple is unique—not just for its organic certification but for its scientific approach to maple production. Owners Mike and Ingrid, both retired environmental chemists, use their expertise to ensure top-quality syrup while educating visitors on the science behind maple sugaring.
Their tours are highly interactive, perfect for families with kids who want to learn how maple sap transforms into syrup. You’ll also get to see their certified organic operation!
🍁 Why You’ll Love It: Educational tours, organic maple syrup, and a passion for sustainability.
Hidden Hollow Maple Farm has been a family-run operation for over 40 years, producing small-batch, wood-fired maple syrup with traditional techniques. Their rustic setup gives visitors a true appreciation for the craft, and their syrup has a deep, rich flavor that reflects the care they put into each batch.
Beyond syrup, they offer flavored maple products, candies, and even maple-infused soaps—making this stop a great place to pick up unique gifts.
🍁 Why You’ll Love It: A cozy, family-friendly sugarhouse with old-fashioned charm and small-batch maple goodies.
While maple syrup may be the star of the show, Thurman Maple Days is also a celebration of local artisans who pour their passion into handcrafted goods.
🎨 Martin’s Lumber: A gathering place for Adirondack artists, Martin’s Lumber features woodworkers, jewelry makers, painters, and crafters showcasing their talents. Visitors can also participate in candle making, wood-burning, and other hands-on activities.
🧶 TEF Braids: A textile micro-factory where traditional lace-making meets modern innovation. Browse their unique bodywear, kitchen cloths, and textile composites, all crafted using heritage techniques.
🛍️ The Thurman Maple Craft Show: Held at Town Hall, this craft fair features a variety of handmade goods, from knitted wear to resin jewelry and dreamcatchers. It’s also the first stop for picking up your official Thurman Maple Days brochure!
🐐 Nettle Meadow & The Kemp Sanctuary: While known for their award-winning cheeses, Nettle Meadow is also home to a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. Stop by to visit the goats, sheep, and other furry friends while sampling maple-infused cheese pairings.
🏡 Rustic Acres Farm: A homestead farm experience where visitors can enjoy baked goods, jams, and USDA-approved farm-fresh eggs. Weather permitting, they’ll even boil syrup the old-fashioned way—over an open fire.
When you visit Thurman Maple Days, you’re not just buying a bottle of syrup—you’re supporting local farmers, small businesses, and multi-generational traditions. Each stop on the tour offers a glimpse into the dedication, craftsmanship, and community spirit that make this event so special.
So, as you sip on a warm maple coffee, take a bite of fresh maple candy, or chat with a local sugar maker, remember that you’re part of something bigger—a tradition that’s been carried on for generations in the heart of the Adirondacks.
📍 Start at Town Hall to pick up your event brochure
🏡 Visit multiple sugarhouses to see different production styles
🛍️ Shop handcrafted goods at Martin’s Lumber & the Craft Fair
🐐 Meet the animals at Nettle Meadow
🥞 Don’t miss the legendary pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple
Thurman Maple Days is about more than syrup—it’s about the people who make it all happen. Come meet them this March!
