Spring is quickly approaching, which means maple syrup production is in full swing across New York State and Westchester County. Hilltop Hanover Farm, in Yorktown Heights, will celebrate the season by hosting New York State Maple Fest Weekends on March 23 to 24 and March 30 to 31.

“The Maple Fest Weekends are great opportunities for residents to explore what Westchester County has to offer and to get back to our roots in farming,” says Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “It’s good old-fashioned fun, and a tasty and educational way to spend a morning.”

Each weekend day will kick off with a pancake breakfast, including maple syrup produced at White Oak Farm and bacon and sausage produced at Hemlock Hill Farm. While guests wait to be served, they’ll have the opportunity to explore. They can hike two nature trails, play with dwarf goats, view antique farm equipment and visit the farm stand to pick up some syrup to take home.

“Buying locally-produced maple syrup is a simple way to help conserve important forest habitats and working woodlands,” says Farm Director Shanyn Siegel. “We’re proud to host this fun and delicious community event, which also helps preserve the rural character of our region by supporting our local farms.”

After breakfast, visitors can drive to White Oak Farm, located less than 10 minutes away at 680 Croton Lake Road, in Yorktown Heights, to see a demonstration on how tree sap is turned into maple syrup. They can also taste some samples.

According to White Oak Farm’s owner, Bri Hart, the farm is the last remaining commercial sugarhouse in Westchester County, and the southernmost commercial producer in the State of New York.

“We tap over 2,400 trees and produce delicious, high-quality, all-natural maple syrup, which we sell in our store as well as wholesale to local stores, farms and farmers markets in Westchester, along with bulk sales to many local restaurants. We open our doors to the public during Maple Weekends so they can watch us make our delicious syrup,” he says.

“Farming in Westchester is vital,” says Laura De Maria, vice president of operations for Hemlock Hill Farm. “It is a rapidly developing county, and what little farmland that is left shall remain and continue to provide for our community. Hemlock Hill Farm is 120 acres in Yorktown and Cortlandt Manor, with an easement. It will remain farmland forever.”

Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for children and free for ages 3 and younger. Location: 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights, NY. To purchase tickets or for more info, visit HilltopHanoverFarm.org.