Learning the family business, twins Julia and Thomas Bryant attach a sap bucket to a maple tree. The $48.7 million syrup industry’s biggest public relations event of the year, Maine Maple Sunday is traditionally held on the fourth Sunday in March. This year’s event is March 22 and thousands are expected to visit farms all over the state. Because the flow of sap is so dependent on the weather, however, many of those sugar houses might have to find alternative sources to present to the public.
Hilltop Boilers sap house is preparing to boil sap into maple syrup, like this 1-liter jug, for Maine Maple Sunday.
Michael Bryant of Hilltop Boilers plows paths to his maple trees in preparation for Maine Maple Sunday.
Michael Bryant, left, of Hilltop Boilers and his family, left to right, niece Leah Bryant, 15, daughter Julia, 5, and Michael's brother Mark Bryant, lug sap pails on newly cleared paths as they get ready to tap trees.
Bryant and his twins Thomas and Julia trudge through deep snow to tap a maple tree.
Thomas Bryant watches his uncle Mark struggle in deep snow as they tap maple trees in Newfield.
Julia and Thomas help their uncle Mark Bryant tap a maple tree.
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