Meet the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival 🥞🍁

Get a taste of the sweetest town and festival around at the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival. For over six decades, this free festival has sweetened up central Michigan with stacks of pancakes & homemade maple syrup and family-fun activities the last full weekend of April. Haven’t ever been? Keep reading to discover why you should make the trip⬇️

Over 65 years ago, the first Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival started. The sweet tradition began after trees were tapped, sap was gathered by volunteers, and the public was invited to a community-wide pancake dinner. Proceeds from the sale of the syrup for the pancakes helped support recreational activities and facilities in the Shepherd community. From the beginning, the festival always consisted of fun, family activities, and was a community driven effort.

Thanks to the Sugar Bush which produces the syrup, partnerships with the local Shepherd Community, and local volunteers, the festival continues.

The whole village comes alive during festival weekend. You’ll find the smell of pancakes & sausage meals in the air, families heading toward the carnival rides or visiting the petting zoo, and a lineup of classic small‑town favorites like the parade, tractor pulls, a car show and so much more.

🥞  The festival is free to attend but visitors will have to pay for some activities including the carnival rides and pancake & sausage meals

🥞  Bring your appetite and indulge on endless sausage and pancake meals drenched in Shepherd Maple Syrup

🥞  Make a whole weekend out of it! The festival has over 25 festival events including a petting, helicopters ride, a 5k, zoo, carnival, car show, tractor pulls, and more. See a full schedule of events here.

🥞  Shop local crafters at the Shepherd Middle & High Schools or purchase pure Shepherd Maple Syrup throughout the weekend. You can also shop yard/garage sales all throughout the village of Shepherd

🥞  Take a step into Shepherd’s history by touring the Little Red School House, The Powerhouse Museum, or the Train Depot Museum

🥞  Free parking is available throughout the Village of Shepherd and can visitors find additional parking details here.

Ready to be a part of this sweet, syrup-y tradition? Plan your weekend now and look ahead to future Shepherd Maple Syrup Festivals, the last full weekend of April. Don’t forget to book your room in Mt. Pleasant, we are just a hop away from Shepherd and offer a variety of lodging, dining, and things to do after the festival. For more festival information, click here. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram – and be sure to use #MeetMtP to share your festival experience!