MAPLE SUGARBUSH FESTIVAL

Join Us for the 46th Annual Maple Sugarbush Festival

Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3, 2024

Our most enduring spring celebration gives our community the opportunity to enjoy fresh pancakes and Indiana syrup before wandering through the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States.

Learn about maple tapping and its history, the science of sap in our brand-new Sugar Shack, and how sap production is an important part of forest ecology!

All proceeds will benefit the ongoing work of Wesselman Woods.

2024 Sponsored by Window World | Methodist Temple UMC | Old National Bank | Romain Subaru | Prairie Farms | Joe Brewski Coffee | Hampton Inn East | Envive Healthcare of Evansville | BFW Engineering & Testing | Vanderburgh Community Foundation

Photo by Andrew Layer

Photo by Mark Murry

Adults (Ages 13+) $15 • Children (Ages 3-12) $10 • Under 3 gets in free

Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes with real, Indiana maple syrup. Breakfast also includes two sausage links and your choice of unlimited coffee, orange juice, chocolate milk, or white milk! Extra sausage links can be purchased on the day of the event (2 for $1).

Members receive a $2 discount on each ticket! Check your inbox for early bird access and promo code or email us.

We're working hard to make our event sustainable with biodegradable/compostable plates, cutlery and cups. We're offering a green incentive again this year: Bring your own reusable cup, plate or fork and GET A FREE DAY PASS to Wesselman Woods and the Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape!

Get your tickets early to reserve your preferred time! Tickets will still be sold at the door but seating will be limited. Priority will be given to those with pre-purchased tickets.

Pancake Breakfast Time Slots: 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM (noon)

PLEASE NOTE: Wesselman Woods will be CLOSED on Friday (March 1, 2024) to prepare for the big event. We will only be open during event hours on March 2-3 (7 AM to 1 PM) and all guests must pay event admission, whether they eat breakfast or not. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Syrup production is totally dependent on the sap flow conditions of the forest. We have tapped 13 trees and we will be collecting sap throughout the month of February in hopes that we will gather enough to boil down to syrup! Stay tuned for updates.

  • The Maple Sugarbush Festival is one of our most-loved traditions... and serves as one of our biggest fundraisers! All proceeds from this event go toward the work we do at Wesselman Woods - caring for our animal ambassadors, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and educational programs (to name just a few).

  • With rising prices of... well, everything... we raised ticket prices to help us cover the cost of providing this all-you-can-eat pancake and all-you-can-drink (milk, orange juice, coffee) breakfast. By raising the admission, we ensure that we can raise funds to protect this forest & its inhabitants.

  • Your ticket covers the all-you can eat pancake breakfast with two sausage links and unlimited orange juice, white milk, chocolate milk, or coffee. Real, Indiana syrup will be available at tables and sugar-free syrup is available upon request.

  • You sure can! Stop by our Nature Center during our regular business hours to secure your tickets. Normal hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from Noon to 4 PM.

  • In order to serve everyone safely, we implement 45 minute time slots. This gives us enough time to clean and sanitize tables between guests.

  • Saturday online ticket sales end at 7 PM on Friday. Sunday online ticket sales end at 7 PM on Saturday. If there are spots left for purchase, tickets can be purchased at the front desk on the day of the event.

  • Yes! And we encourage it! We are giving out free day passes (for non-event dates) to people who bring their own plateware/silverware.

  • Tickets will be available on the day of the event but capacity is limited for each time slot. Priority is given to those who have pre-purchased their tickets. Additional seating will be available outside at the campfire or near the mews.

  • We are CLOSED Friday, March 1, but we will reopen with special hours for the Festival. Wesselman Woods will be open from 7 AM to 1 PM each day.

Additional questions? Contact Kristina Arwood, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at 812-479-0771 or via email.

Learn more about our sponsors online:
Window World | Methodist Temple | Old National Bank | Romain Subaru | Prairie Farms | Joe Brewski Coffee | Hampton Inn East | Envive Healthcare of Evansville | BFW Engineering & Testing | Vanderburgh Community Foundation