Maple Sugar Festival

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Celebrate the maple sugaring season at KNC’s 59th annual Maple Sugar Festival! Maple Sugar Festival is KNC’s largest fundraiser and supports KNC’s important research, conservation work, and high-quality programming throughout the year.

Presale tickets for Maple Sugar Festival are now closed. If you would like to purchase tickets, please visit the drive-through ticket station located just inside the main KNC entrance.

– Visitor Center/Main Campus –

Pancake breakfast, 9 am – 4 pm
Hot drinks for purchase from Factory Coffee
Mnomen Exhibit; Q&A with representative from Gun Lake Tribe, 10 am-Noon and 12:30-2 pm
Maple sugar tours and visits to the Sugar Shack every 20 minutes, 9:20 am – 3:40 pm
Rollers and Strollers: shorter maple sugaring tours intended for folks with limited mobility or small children, 10-11 am and 2-3 pm
Animal Ambassador presentations:
- 9:30 am: Eastern Box Turtles
- 10 am: Snakes (Milk Snake, Corn Snake, Black Rat)
- 10:30 am: Eastern Screech Owl
- 1 pm: Eastern Screech Owl
- 2:30 pm: Broad Winged Hawk
- 3:30 pm: Rabbits
- 4 pm: Aquatic Turtles or Salamander (Painted Turtles, Tiger Salamander)
Live music, 11 am – 1 pm
Art making and other activities for kids
Southwest Michigan Printmakers exhibition

– DeLano Homestead/DeLano Farms –

Old fashioned activities for kids
Blacksmithing
Fiber Arts demos from Kalamazoo Weavers Guild
Sugaring demo at the historic cabin
Anishinabek sugaring history, 9-11 am, Noon – 5 pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, 10 am – Noon (weather dependent)
Seed blocking at DeLano Farms, 10-12:30 pm and 1:30-5 pm

Check out a virtual map detailing where all the activities are taking place here >

“Sweet” Maple Sugar Festival Sponsorship Opportunities

Maple Sugar Festival is KNC’s longest running and most popular event of the year. The history of Michigan Maple Sugaring is nearly as old as the land itself and the taste of pure maple syrup is as irresistibly delicious today as it was for our ancestors. Your sponsorship is appreciated by KNC’s extensive membership and the 2,800 + guests who come to enjoy all that Maple Sugar Festival has to offer.

Read more >

All Inclusive Ticket:$9 per Member$20 per Non-Member Adult$18 per Non Member Ages 4-17 and 55+

All-Inclusive ticket includes admission and a pass good for one pancake breakfast and ice cream with real maple syrup. All activities are included in ticket price. Locally-owned Factory Coffee will be on site at the Visitor Center for purchase.

Admission Only Ticket:KNC Members free$13 per Non-Member Adult$11 per Non-Member Ages 4-17 and 55+

Admission ticket includes admission and all activities. Food is available for purchase a la carte at the festival, and locally-owned Factory Coffee will be on site at the Visitor Center for purchase.

Thanks to our 2024 Maple Sugar Festival Sponsors!