Maple Sugar Festival

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Celebrate the maple sugaring season at KNC’s 58th annual Maple Sugar Festival! Maple Sugar Festival is KNC’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting high-quality, innovative programming offered throughout the year.

New this year! Both locations, KNC’s main campus and DeLano Homestead, will be open from 9 am – 5 pm. Here are just a few of the many activities taking place:

– Visitor Center/Main Campus –

Pancake breakfast (9 am – 4:15 pm) includes:
- Pancakes (gluten free and vegan options available) with real maple syrup, sausage (vegetarian available), and orange juice
- Coffee available for purchase from Factory Coffee
Maple sugar tours and visits to the Sugar Shack* (9 am – 3:20 pm)
Live music with Hard Travelin Boys (11 am – 1 pm)
Up in the Air: Birds Navigating the Anthropocene and Art Drawn from Nature II exhibits and artist talks
Art making and other activities for children
Creature Features with KNC’s ambassador animals (10 am – 2 pm)
Story Trail: “Mushroom Rain” by Laura K. Zimmermann

– DeLano Homestead/DeLano Farms –

Historic maple sugaring featuring indigenous and pioneer practices
Candle dipping and traditional children’s games
Chicken Encounters: meet a personable member of our feathered flock
Soil blocking at DeLano Farms
Earth Loom: join the community in creating a work of art
Fiber Arts demos by Weavers Guild of Kalamazoo
Horse-drawn wagon rides (Noon – 4pm)
Blacksmith Demonstrations by Morgan Pell (10am – 3pm)

* Maple Sugar Tours are now closed for registration. Limited day-of spaces are available, stop by Maple Headquarters near the Sundial! Tours leave every 20 minutes (Last tour leaves at 3:20 pm)

Marvel at the magic of maple sugaring! Discover how sunny days and chilly nights are key to a good sap run on this hike through the woods to the Sugarbush and then to the Sugar Shack. Maple Sugar Tours depart from Maple Headquarters. Tours are approximately 45 minutes.

An accessible, modified maple sugaring demonstration will be held at the top of each hour from 10 am – 3 pm in the Arboretum for those with limited mobility. No registration is required for the Arboretum demonstration.

Admission Rates

All Inclusive Daily Pass:
$8.00 per Member
$19.00 per Non Member
$17.00 per Non Member
for Ages 4-17 and 55+

All-Inclusive pass includes admission and a pass good for one all-day pancake breakfast and your choice of maple popcorn or ice cream with real maple syrup. All activities are included in ticket price. Locally-owned Factory Coffee will be onsite at both locations with coffee and kids’ steamers available for purchase. Purchase an All Inclusive Pass here >

Admission Only Daily Pass:
KNC Members free
$12.00 per Non Member
$10.00 per Non Member
for Ages 4-17 and 55+

Admission pass includes admission and all activities. Food is available for purchase a la carte at the festival. Purchase an Admission Pass here >

A la carte prices:

Pancake Breakfast $7
Ice Cream $4
Popcorn $4

Thanks to our 2023 Maple Sugar Festival Sponsors!

“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.

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