MAPLE SUGARBUSH FESTIVAL
JUMP TO: Annual Juried Art Exhibition • Earth Day • Woodland Wonders • Full Calendar
the 48th Annual Maple Sugarbush Festival
Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, 2026
Our most endearing 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 syrup in our Sugar Shack, and how sap production is an important part of forest ecology!
All proceeds will benefit the ongoing work of Wesselman Woods.
Members receive early access and ticket discounts. Tickets go on sale for public in February.
About Tickets
Get your tickets early to reserve your preferred time!
Adults (Ages 13+) $18 • Children (Ages 3-12) $12 • Under 3 gets in free
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.
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 work hard to make our event sustainable with biodegradable/compostable plates, cutlery and cups but we also offer a green incentive each 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!
These passes can be used for free admission on a non-event day down the road. One pass per person with reusable plateware.
Activities
Experience the sugar maple tree tapping and distillation processes first-hand during guided hikes,
Enjoy several educational activity booths,
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.
Photos by Andrew Layer
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 (March 6, 2026) to prepare for the big event.
We will only be open during event hours on March 7-8 (7 AM to 1 PM) and all guests must pay event admission, whether they eat breakfast or not.
NEW! Half Pot Fundraiser
Congratulations to Ticket Holder #835760!
The winner has already called in to claim their prize.
Our half pot total came out to $3,528, which means our lucky winner will receive $1,764.
THANK YOU to every person who bought tickets to help us raise additional money for Wesselman Woods. These extra funds especially helped us this year as the stormy Saturday weather dampened our ticket sales.
Sap, Syrup… and a Sweet Chance to Win! We’re adding an extra dash of excitement to the annual Maple Sugarbush Festival with a half pot fundraiser! Half the pot supports Wesselman Woods and our ongoing conservation and education work and the other half goes to one lucky winner.
Half Pot Tickets = $1 each or $20 for 25 tickets
Total Pot: Over $3528
Updated at 12:30 PM on March 9th
You can wait to get your tickets at the Maple Sugarbush Festival OR buy tickets early at the Nature Center!
Must be 18 years and older to purchase.
Cash preferred
Must buy your tickets in-person. Talk to a staff member at the Nature Center today!
Winner will be revealed during Facebook Live drawing on Monday, March 9 at 1 PM.
Every ticket helps protect the forest, care for our wildlife ambassadors, and keep events like the Maple Sugarbush Festival thriving for years to come. It’s a win for the woods and a chance to win some extra cash. Supporting nature has never been so sweet!
Half Pot QUestions & Answers
How old do I have to be to claim my prize?
Must by 18 years or older to play and to claim the winnings.
When can I claim my prize?
Winner can claim their prize beginning Tuesday, March 10 at 9 AM.
How long do I have to claim?
Must claim within the business week of the reveal (by 5 PM on Friday, March 13).
What do I need to bring?
Your valid, unaltered winning raffle ticket
State-issued ID or passport
Anything I need to fill out?
Prizes over $600 require tax reporting so you will need to fill out a W-9 in order to process your check.
Event Frequently Asked Questions
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If rain is in the forecast, the Maple Sugarbush Festival and Pancake Breakfast will still take place!
If thunderstorms move through the area, some of our outdoor educational activities may be delayed or cancelled throughout the day. Our first priority is the safety of our guests, volunteers, animals, and staff.
If lightning is observed, all guests will be asked to move indoors until the storm passes. Following standard safety guidance, we will wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
The good news? The pancakes, maple syrup, and cozy indoor exhibits will still be ready for you.
We recommend bringing:
Rain jackets or umbrellas
Waterproof footwear for muddy trails
A little extra patience as we work around the weather
Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe while celebrating maple sugaring season together!
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Yes! We will have a very limited amount of Wesselman Woods-crafted syrup for sale.
Syrup production is totally dependent on the sap flow conditions of the forest.
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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).
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Remember: this festival is a fundraiser for the forest, first and foremost.
And, 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 and its inhabitants.
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Your ticket covers the all-you can eat pancakes, 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.
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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.
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In order to serve everyone safely, we implement 45 minute time slots. This gives us enough time to clean and sanitize tables between guests.
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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.
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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.
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Yes! And we encourage it! We are giving out free day passes (for non-event dates) to people who bring their own plateware/silverware.
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We are CLOSED Friday, March 6, but we will reopen with special hours for the Festival. Wesselman Woods will be open from 7 AM to 1 PM each day.
All guests must pay event admission, whether they eat breakfast or not.
Additional event questions? Contact Kristina Arwood, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at 812-479-0771 or via email.
2026 Sponsors
Find out more about our sponsors online: Window World • Romain Subaru • Torian Insurance • Prairie Farms • Thomas A & Sharon K Ruder Foundation • Ancient Roots Native Nursery
Find out how you can become a sponsor of one or all of our community events.
