You must be a FULL Maple Mania registrant to enter!
Bring a ½ pint sample for each syrup grade entered. For candy bring one box with 6 uncoated pieces. For cream bring one 8-ounce jar in glass or plastic. NO extended shelf life cream is allowed. All entries must be produced by you in 2026 and become the property of the Maine Maple Producers Association. All syrup will be placed in similar glass containers without labels for judging, and will be on display during the conference.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be using the current international maple grades!
If you want to send in your contest entry ahead of time, ship to:
Gail Tibbetts, 148 Bog Brook Rd, China ME 04358
Telephone: 207-213-5704 (c) e-mail: gailtbbtts@yahoo.com
If you ship your entry, please do so well in advance, and include entry form and check for $20. We strongly suggest that syrup be packed in tin or plastic and wrapped securely.
The Maine Maple Producers Association is not responsible for damaged or lost entries, or for shipped entries not received by the deadline of 4:00 p.m., Monday June 22, 2026.
Entries close Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Download Syrup & Confection Registration form to mail in (PDF)
Register Online for the Contests
Maple Syrup Contest
Syrup will be judged in a two-step process as follows:
Step 1:
Entries will be evaluated for acceptable density, color, clarity, and flavor according to the following standards:
Density: Should be greater than or equal to 66.0º Brix and less than or equal to 68.9º Brix.
Color: Color category of entry must conform to color grade under which it is entered using an International grade standard color grading kit.
Clarity: Should be clean and clear, with no visible impurities (cloudy, sugar sand etc.).
Flavor: Should be free of off-flavors and representative of grade category entered (a light amber syrup should have a light amber flavor, not a dark amber flavor).
Entries not conforming to the above standards will be disqualified. All entries judged acceptable receive the designation “excellent”, and progress to Step 2 for final judging.
Step 2:
Entries judged acceptable in Step 1 will be judged and ranked according to “best” flavor by a panel of judges.
This flavor ranking will be the final and sole determinant of placement for awards.
Maple Syrup Contest Awards
1 st, 2nd, 3rd place rosettes for each of four grade categories.
A “Best of Show” rosette will be given as determined by the judges.
Register Online for the Contests
Maple Candy Contest
How Candy Will Be Judged:
Appearance: No white areas, or mold, good uniform color, good shape/form
Texture: Hardness, crystallization (not gritty) surface texture
Flavor: Representative of maple candy with no off flavors
Awards For Maple Candy
1 st, 2nd, 3rd place rosettes
Register Online for the Contests
Maple Cream Contest
How Maple Cream Will Be Judged:
Appearance: No separation, no air bubbles, good color
Texture: Hardness, no crystallization (not gritty)
Flavor: Representative of maple cream with no off flavors
Awards for Maple Cream
1 st, 2nd, 3rd place rosettes
For questions on the contest contact:
Gail Tibbetts, 148 Bog Brook Rd, China ME 04358
Telephone: 207-213-5704 (c) E-mail: gailtbbtts@yahoo.com
Register Online for the Contests
How to Register Online for Maple Syrup & Confection Contests
Please fill out the form information below with your information to register.
Price: The cost to enter the contest is $20