Several local maple syrup producers are preparing demonstrations and lining up samples for people who visit their operations during Maple Weekends taking place this year March 17-18 and 24-25.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, maple producers will invite the public to learn about syrup-making, from tapping maple trees to the breakfast table. At the free events, organized by the New York State Maple Producers Association, visitors can taste and purchase maple products.

And traditional pancake breakfasts are part of the celebration.

Producers in St. Lawrence County participating this year are:

• Fine-n-Dandy, Donald Finen, March 24-25, at 2620 County Rt. 35, Norwood. 528-4700, 388-4149. Website: www.slcmaple.com/114/fine-n-dandy.

• Finen Maple Products, Jim and Margaret Finen, both weekends, 529 Austin Ridge Rd.

Norwood. (240) 405-2231, (301) 524-8628.

• Hilltop Maple Treats, Kenneth & Jean Tupper, March 17-18, 760 State Rt. 68, Canton, 386-2162. Website: www.slcmaple.com/12/hilltop-maple-treats

• Rutley Maple Farm, Charles Rutley, March 24-25, 8765 Route 11, Potsdam. 265-0686, 244-3681

• Sweeter Creations Sugar House, Michael & Debra Kenny, both weekends, at 348 Pearson Road, Madrid. 322-5535

• The Orebed Sugar Shack, Jeff and Lori Jenness and family, both weekends, 503 Ore Bed Road, De Kalb Junction. 347-3415, 528-2450. Website: www.orebedmaplesugarshack.com

• Woody's Maple, James Woodrow, both weekends, 418 Underwood Road, Hermon. 347-2395.

Official Maple Weekend pancake breakfasts:

• High Falls Lodge #428, across from Hepburn Library, Colton, March 24, 7-11 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, real maple syrup, coffee, juice, adults $7, children $6.50.

• St. Lawrence District Order of Eastern Star, County Rt. 31 off Madrid-Chipman Road, Madrid, March 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pancakes, sausage, maple syrup, coffee, orange juice, milk, adults $6, kids 5-12 $4, under 5 free.

• Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club, BOCES Northwest Tech, Park Street, Ogdensburg, March 31, 7-11 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, coffee, orange juice, pure St Lawrence County NY Maple Syrup. Presale tickets $5, at the door $6.

More than 1,500 New York maple producers generate about 20 percent of all syrup in the United States, making New York the second largest maple producing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Last year, New York maple producers made 564,000 gallons of maple syrup, marking New York’s highest production since 1947.