MAPLE SUGARBUSH FESTIVAL

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Tickets on sale now for the 47th Annual Maple Sugarbush Festival

Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2, 2025

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.

Photos by Andrew Layer

Breakfast Includes...

Admission includes all festival activities, unlimited pancakes, two sausage links, and unlimited coffee, orange juice, and milk. Real Indiana maple syrup from Harris Sugarbush in Greencastle, Indiana is available on each table. Extra sausage links can be purchased on the day of the event (2 for $1).

Plateware

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!

About Tickets

Get your tickets early to reserve your preferred time!

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

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

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

Your preferred time sold out? Tickets will also be sold at the door but the number of seats will be limited and dependent on the weather. There will likely be a wait line. Priority is given to those with pre-purchased tickets.

Activities

  • Experience the sugar maple tree tapping and distillation processes first-hand during guided hikes,

  • Enjoy several educational activity booths, including storytime with the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library,

  • Encounters with our resident animal ambassadors,

  • Explore over four miles of trails and the five-acre Nature Playscape, Arwood Family Treehouse, and Bernhardt Family Bird Sanctuary.

Proceeds

All proceeds from the event go directly towards the work of Wesselman Woods—the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States. The Nature Center is home to numerous educational programs, research opportunities, and animal ambassadors. Wesselman Woods relies heavily on donations, memberships, volunteers, and events like the Maple Sugarbush Festival to support these important animals and programs.

PLEASE NOTE

Wesselman Woods will be CLOSED on Friday (February 28, 2024) to prepare for the big event. We will only be open during event hours on March 1-2 (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. Because tree tapping has the potential to cause stress, we will NOT be tapping the sugar maple trees in 2025.

  • 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.

2025 Sponsors

Find out more about our sponsors online: Window World • Methodist Temple UMC • Romain Subaru • Prairie Farms • Green River Kiwanis Club • Joe Brewski Coffee • Schnucks • Torian Insurance • BFW | Marcum Engineering & Testing, Inc. •  Vanderburgh Community Foundation •  Ancient Roots Native Nursery

Find out how you can become a sponsor of one or all of our community events.

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