This upcoming weekend, Ladew hosts family-friendly maple tree tours on Saturday and Sunday, where participants can observe tapped trees, collect a little sap, and then learn how to boil it down to golden brown syrup. And oh yeah, there’ll be some silver dollar pancakes and samples afterward.

Old Harvey’s acres in Monkton aren’t the only place offering maple-sugaring opportunities, however. The Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville hosts maple sugar hikes and syrup tasting this weekend as well with pure maple syrup available for purchase in the center’s gift shop.

Even closer to Baltimore City, just outside the city limits, Robert E. Lee Park rangers will also lead maple sugaring tours, cooking, and tasting opportunities this Saturday and Sunday.

The 116-acre Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills hosts similar a “Maple Magic” tour this Saturday afternoon.

Next month, a little further out in Frederick County, Cunningham Falls State Park will host its 45^th annual Maple Syrup Festival over two weekends—March 14 and 15, and March 21 and 22.

Even farther afield, but still in state, it’s interesting to note Garrett County in Western Maryland was once a center of the U.S. maple syrup industry before rising temperatures pushed the industry farther north. Still, there is at least one family, the Stever Brothers, that has been making syrup out there for more than 100 years.

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If you’re optimistic about the answer, the 23rd annual pancake-eating contest at Pete’s Grille might be the culinary competition for you.

That being said, experts need not apply—the amateurs-only competition will be held at the Waverly restaurant on Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 a.m.

Pete’s contest includes a division for both men and women, and winners will receive a $500 cash prize. As an additional incentive, participants who break the all-time record—18 pancakes for men and 12 pancakes for women—eat at Pete’s for free for as long as they hold the title.

According to Pete’s Grille owner Dave Stahl, previous winners include neighborhood locals, Johns Hopkins students, and restaurant regulars eager to come back each year to defend their title.

Stahl is also quick to point out that it’s important to never underestimate the underdogs.

“It’s always the really skinny, fit, trim, guys that end up making it until the end,” says Stahl. “Everyone’s packing pancakes away for the first 30 minutes, but by the last 15 minutes there’s usually only two or three still going.”

While sitting on the sidelines, Stahl has become an astute observer of the various pancake-eating techniques that participants have used through the years.

“I’ve seen everything you can possibly think of,” he says. “Most people roll the pancake up like a cigar and dip it in water.”

Interested participants can sign up at the restaurant through Nov. 17 from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Participation is $20. 

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