These days, maple sugaring is done with the help of long tubes that are strung through the sugar bush. The no-nonsense process efficiently collects sap from the trees and transports it right into the sugarhouse where it is boiled down to maple syrup.
But before the days of plastic tubing, sap was collected in metal buckets and gathered up by teamsters who drove draft horses pulling sleds through the woods.
To see this bygone era come to life, visit Stonewall Farm in Keene on March 23rd for the 14th Annual Horse Drawn Sap Gathering Contest. The competition begins at 10 a.m.
The contest draws about a dozen teams of two-hitch draft horses from all around New England to compete: The drivers, using only voice commands, maneuver the team of horse-drawn sleds through the narrow sugar bush on the farm, collecting sap buckets and quickly emptying them into containers in the sled. The teamster who is the fastest, with the best control of the horses, and the least sap spills, wins.
The fun doesn’t end once the competition is over. Visitors can congratulate the teams of horses, and enjoy maple syrup sundaes, sugaring demonstrations, sampling maple syrup, hayrides, food and lots more.
Parking at the farm is limited. Free parking shuttles are available from Alumni Field (next to Keene High School) on Arch Street. Entrance fee: Stonewall Farm Members: $3/person; Non-Members: $5/person; Children 6 and under FREE.
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