Four Ways to Celebrate the Sweetness of Wisconsin’s Maple Syrup

Did you know there’s a maple syrup season in Wisconsin? When it’s no longer winter but not quite spring, the state’s maple trees, known as the sugar bush, let their sap start to run. This also means it’s the perfect time to celebrate the harvest of that sweet, delectable nectar.

It takes around 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, and it’s certainly worth the effort. Wisconsinites honor the effort with festivals throughout the state that include tapping demonstrations, refreshing nature hikes and music and games for the whole family. Not only that, what’s maple syrup without pancakes? Many festivals feature a delicious pancake breakfast so you and your crew can get a taste of delicious Wisconsin-made maple syrup. Explore these events and more to celebrate the naturally tasty treat.

Sugarin’ Off Pancake Breakfast – Racine

Make your March a little sweeter by attending the Sugarin’ Off Pancake Breakfast held every Sunday in March at the River Bend Nature Center in Racine. Following a delicious breakfast topped with 100% Wisconsin-harvested maple syrup, naturalist volunteers will lead you through the woods to learn the process of maple sap collection and syrup production. It’s fun for the whole family at this local tradition of discovery! Reservations are suggested as this is a popular event.

Taylor County Lions Maple Fest – Medford

Head to Medford outside of Wausau to celebrate the Wisconsin state tree at Maple Festival. This sweet event includes tapping demonstrations, sugar shack tours, maple-flavored foods, crafts, cooking with syrup contests and of course, it all begins with a pancake breakfast. You may even win a sugar maple tree of your own to take home!

MapleFest at Glenna Farms - Amery

Who doesn’t love free pancakes? Visit Glenna Farms in northwest Wisconsin for MapleFest and your group will be treated to a delicious breakfast, sap-to-syrup farm tours, cooking demonstrations and even a petting zoo. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the sugarbush and get a closer look at how the farm’s organic syrup is made. Bring a food pantry donation for the local community and take home some syrup of your own for an unforgettable end-of-winter outing.

Phelps Maple Syrup Fest - Phelps

Bring the whole family to Phelps for this Maple Syrup Fest in early April. After the all-important pancake breakfast, tour the arts and crafts show, explore the sugarbush, play kids games, watch cooking and tapping demonstrations and make your own maple taffy on the snow. You can also meet Wisconsin’s own Alice in Dairyland and find more tasty treats at the Maple Cafe.

Looking for more delicious events? Explore these food fests throughout Wisconsin.