Maple Weekend in Ontario is cancelled.
The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (OMSPA) reports that the event, which takes place the first weekend of April each year and which sees more than 15,000 visitors visit participating sugarbushes is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We want to ensure we are conforming with health advisories and do our part in combating the spread of the virus,” says OMSPA president, Brian Bainborough.
The 2020 Maple Weekend event was anticipated to be bigger than events year, with more than 80 producers scheduled to take part.
The event cancellation and the COVID-19 pandemic’s appearance during prime maple syrup season will be a blow to many maple syrup producers across the province, who rely on direct to consumer sales to sell their products.
Bainborough says maple products and syrup will continue to be available at sugarbushes across the province and he encouraged people interested in purchasing maple syrup to reach out to their local sugarbush to make arrangements.
“We are still making maple syrup and many of our members rely on the annual visit to the sugarbush to sell their product,” adds Bainborough. “Many of our producers are happy to make arrangements to ensure their product gets into the hands of their loyal customers in a way that’s safe for everyone.”