Maple Sugaring Season in St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom

March 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Every spring in Vermont, a familiar sight appears across the hills and forests of the Northeast Kingdom—buckets and tubing hanging from maple trees. Maple sugaring season is one of the most iconic traditions in Vermont, and communities around St. Johnsbury have been producing maple syrup for generations.

A Tradition Rooted in Vermont History

Long before modern equipment and sugarhouses, Indigenous peoples of the Northeast were the first to discover that sap from maple trees could be boiled down into a sweet syrup. Early settlers in Vermont adopted these techniques and began producing maple sugar and syrup as an important food source during the late winter months.

Over time, maple production became a cornerstone of Vermont’s agricultural identity. Today, Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state in the country, and the forests surrounding St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom play a major role in that production.

Why the Northeast Kingdom Is Perfect for Maple Syrup

The climate of the Northeast Kingdom creates the ideal conditions for maple sugaring. The season typically begins in late February or early March when daytime temperatures rise above freezing while nights remain cold. These temperature swings cause sap to flow through the maple trees, allowing producers to collect it.

It takes roughly 40 gallons of maple sap to produce just one gallon of pure maple syrup, which is why the process is both labor-intensive and highly valued.

Sugarhouses Across the NEK

Driving around St. Johnsbury, Lyndon, Danville, and the surrounding towns this time of year, you may notice steam rising from small buildings tucked into the woods. These are sugarhouses, where sap is boiled down for hours until it becomes Vermont’s famous maple syrup.

For many families in the Northeast Kingdom, sugaring is more than just a business—it’s a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

A Sweet Part of Life in the NEK

Maple syrup is more than just a breakfast staple in Vermont. It’s a symbol of the region’s heritage, hard work, and connection to the land. Each bottle represents countless hours spent collecting sap, tending fires, and carefully boiling it down to perfection.

Here at St. Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we’re proud to live and work in a region where traditions like maple sugaring are still alive and thriving. The Northeast Kingdom is a special place, and maple season is one of the many reasons we’re lucky to call it home.

So the next time you pour Vermont maple syrup over your pancakes, remember—there’s a good chance it started right here in the forests of the Northeast Kingdom. 🍁 Vermont Maple

Oct 05, 2026

Is Your Vehicle Ready for a Northeast Kingdom Winter?

Seven Things to Check This Fall Fall in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is hard to beat. The colorful foliage, cool mornings, and scenic drives make this one of the best times of year to be on the road. But those cooler temperatures are also a reminder that winter is not far behind. Preparing your vehicle now can help you avoid problems when the first snow and freezing temperatures arrive. Here are seven important items every Vermont and New Hampshire driver should check this fall. 1. Inspect Your Tires Your tires are your vehicle’s connection to the road, and dependable traction becomes especially important in rain, slush, snow, and ice. Check your tires for adequate tread depth, proper inflation, cracking, and uneven wear. If you use dedicated winter tires, now is a good time to schedule your seasonal tire change. Waiting until the first snowfall can make it more difficult to find a convenient appointment. Proper tread depth can make a major difference when Northeast Kingdom roads become wet, snowy, or icy. 2. Test Your Battery Cold weather places additional strain on a vehicle’s battery. A battery that starts your vehicle normally during warmer weather may struggle when temperatures drop below freezing. A battery test can help identify a weak battery before it leaves you stranded on a cold morning. It is also a good idea to inspect the battery terminals for corrosion and make sure the connections are secure. A quick battery test can help prevent an unexpected no-start when cold weather arrives. 3. Check Your Heating and Defrosting Systems Your heating system keeps the cabin comfortable, but your windshield defroster is also an important safety feature. Make sure warm air flows properly through the vents and that the front and rear defrosters clear the glass effectively. If the vehicle takes too long to warm up, produces little heat, or leaves the windows fogged, it should be inspected before winter. 4. Replace Worn Wiper Blades Good visibility is essential during fall rain and winter storms. Wiper blades that streak, chatter, skip, or leave portions of the windshield untouched should be replaced. Keep the windshield-washer reservoir filled with a winter-rated fluid designed for freezing temperatures. Ordinary water or warm-weather washer fluid can freeze when you need it most. 5. Check Your Fluids Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield-washer fluid all play important roles in keeping your vehicle operating properly. Coolant deserves particular attention because it helps protect the engine in both extremely hot and cold conditions. If you are approaching your next scheduled maintenance interval, completing it during the fall can give you added confidence heading into winter. 6. Inspect Your Brakes and Lights Winter driving requires dependable stopping power. Squeaking, grinding, vibration, pulling, or a soft brake pedal should never be ignored. A brake inspection can identify worn components before winter road conditions make the problem more serious. Shorter days also mean you will rely more heavily on your headlights. Check the headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights, and replace any burned-out or dim bulbs. 7. Prepare a Winter Emergency Kit Even a well-maintained vehicle can encounter unexpected weather or road closures. Consider keeping a winter emergency kit in your vehicle with a blanket, gloves, flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cables, phone charger, small shovel, and basic first-aid supplies. If you regularly travel through rural areas of the Northeast Kingdom, a little preparation can make a big difference. Schedule Your Fall Vehicle Checkup at St. Johnsbury CDJR The service team at St. Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is ready to help you prepare for the season ahead. Whether you need tires, a battery test, an oil change, brake service, new wiper blades, or a complete vehicle inspection, our team can help keep your vehicle ready for whatever New England weather brings. Schedule your service appointment today at St. Johnsbury CDJR—Home of the BIG Deal!

Sep 08, 2026

St Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Blog- Drive with Confidence with our New 6 Month/6,000- Mile Bumper to Bumper Certified Preowned Program

Drive With Unmatched Confidence: Discover Our New 6-Month/6,000-Mile Bumper-To-Bumper Certified Pre-Owned Program When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, peace of mind isn't just a bonus—it’s everything. At St. Johnsbury CDJR, we believe that choosing a used car, truck, or SUV should never feel like a gamble. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our upgraded Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Program, now featuring a 6-Month / 6,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty on all vehicles regardless of make or model. This enhanced program is designed to deliver absolute transparency, reliability, and protection, setting a new standard for pre-owned buyers across Vermont and New Hampshire. What Makes Bumper-To-Bumper Coverage Different? Many standard pre-owned warranties only cover major powertrain components like the engine and transmission. While powertrain protection is vital, today’s vehicles feature complex electronics, driver-assist systems, and advanced convenience technology. Our 6-Month / 6,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty goes well beyond basic protection. It covers virtually every major electrical and mechanical component on the vehicle—from air conditioning and power steering to touchscreen infotainment and safety hardware. If something unexpected comes up, you're covered. Key Customer Benefits Complete Financial Protection: Modern auto repairs can be costly. Our bumper-to-bumper coverage shields your wallet from surprise expenses during your first six months or 6,000 miles of ownership. Rigorous Multi -Point Inspection: Before a ny vehicle earns our CPO badge, it must pass a thorough multi-point inspection performed by our certified technicians. We inspect, service, and recondition components so you can drive away worry-free. Total Driving Confidence: Taking the keys to your pre-owned vehicle should be exciting, not nerve-wracking. Knowing your vehicle has been thoroughly vetted and backed by strong coverage lets you enjoy every mile with complete peace of mind. Local, Trustworthy Service: Should you ever need assistance, our dedicated service department right here in St. Johnsbury is ready to assist you quickly and hassle-free. Warranty Features & Highlights Available on gasoline, diesel, electric, and hybrid vehicles $0 deductible Nationwide coverage with access to thousands of licensed repair facilities across the U.S. and Canada 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption protection, and alternate transportation coverage Upgrade options available to extend your protection even further Added Benefits That Go Further 24/7 Roadside Assistance (U.S. & Canada): Includes flat tire changes, towing, battery jump-starts, out-of-gas fuel delivery, and lockout/key services. Trip Interruption Coverage: Reimbursement up to $150 per day (up to $750 maximum) for lodging and meals if a covered breakdown occurs more than 100 miles from home and requires overnight repairs. Alternate Transportation: Assistance with rental vehicles, rideshare, or public transportation if repairs take two or more labor hours or require an overnight stay. Our Commitment To You At St. Johnsbury CDJR, supporting our local community with honest, high-quality automotive solutions is at the heart of what we do. Whether you're commuting to work, running weekend errands, or exploring the Northeast Kingdom, your vehicle plays an essential role in your daily life. By offering 6-Month / 6,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty coverage across our CPO inventory, we are delivering on our promise to put our customers first and stand behind every vehicle we sell. Ready to upgrade your ride? Visit stjohnsburycdjr.com today to explore our pre-owned inventory and take a test drive with absolute confidence!

Aug 14, 2026

Make a Weekend of It: Art, Music and Summer Fun in the Northeast Kingdom

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Two free community events offer great reasons to get out, enjoy a scenic drive and experience some of what makes Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom so special. Saturday: Greensboro Art Fest On Saturday, August 15, the Greensboro community will host its annual Art Fest from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on the Green at 81 Lauredon Avenue. More than 20 local artists will display their work alongside live music, arts and crafts, food, drinks and ice cream. Children can participate in hands-on art projects, and free ice cream will be available for kids ages 10 and younger. Admission is free, making this an easy and affordable outing for the entire family. Greensboro and the surrounding Caspian Lake area also offer some beautiful summer scenery, so take your time and enjoy the ride. Visit the Vermont Arts Council event page for additional information. Sunday: Free Live Music at Dog Mountain The weekend continues Sunday, August 16, when Chambers DesLauriers takes the stage at Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury. The free concert begins at 5:00 p.m. and is part of the Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series presented by Catamount Arts. Featuring Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers, the group combines blues, blues-rock and soul with powerful vocals, guitar work and plenty of live energy. Best of all, the concert is open to everyone—including your dog! Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, sunscreen, water and a picnic. Local food vendors will be available on-site, along with a beer garden operated by St. Johnsbury Distillery. Outside alcohol is not permitted, and bringing some cash is recommended because not every vendor accepts credit cards. Parking will be available at the Fairbanks Scales parking lot, with a free Rural Community Transportation shuttle taking concertgoers to the top of Dog Mountain. The shuttle will also make a 4:00 p.m. stop at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center before returning downtown at approximately 7:30 p.m. Dog Mountain is located at 143 Parks Road in St. Johnsbury. Complete concert information is available through Catamount Arts. Enjoy the Road—and Our Community You do not have to travel far to find great art, music, food and scenery. Whether you spend Saturday exploring Greensboro, Sunday evening listening to live blues at Dog Mountain or make time for both, this weekend is a perfect reminder of how much the Northeast Kingdom has to offer. All of us at St. Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are proud to be part of this community. Have a wonderful weekend, drive safely and enjoy everything our corner of Vermont has waiting just down the road!