Sweet treats and fun tapped for 41st annual Sugar Maple Fest

Get ready for it! Festival season is officially upon us.

It all starts with Bellbrook’s Sugar Maple Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, April 26-28.

This year’s Sugar Maple Festival marks its 41st anniversary and the festival will feature a 1980s theme. Here are a few things to know before you go:

PARKING PRO TIP
Take the free shuttle to the festival from Bell Creek Intermediate School, 3777 Upper Bellbrook Road. Parking will be virtually non-existent downtown. Shuttle times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

FOOD & STUFF

Grub vendors and 75 craft peddlers will line Franklin Street. Everything from candles to fabric crafts to window art will be up for grabs.

 

Warped Wing and Yellow Springs Brewery brews and booze will be for sale in the beer tent near the live music. Friday night's kickoff event will include music from Full Frontal. On Saturday, Spungewurthy takes the stage.

As for the food, all sorts of vendors will be set up along Main Street offering an array of flavors and foods.

And authentic sugar maple syrup is available for purchase from the Dill Family in Bellbrock Park at the Old Sugar House.

PANCAKES!!!

The annual pancake breakfast is set for 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bellbrook United Methodist Church, 47 E. Franklin St. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children older than 2. Family admission is $20.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

THE PARADES

The Sugar Maple Festival Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The Mini Sweetheart Parade is at 12:50 p.m. Sunday at the gazebo in Bellbrook Park.

OTHER COOL STUFF

Free activities for kids of all ages including carnival games, face tattoos, hair painting and hula hoop and jump roping contests.

Stop by the Bellbrook City Building to see the artwork created by talented students. There will be ceramics, paper sculpture, self portraits and more.

Kids, teens and adults will be able to submit entries for a recycled sculpture contest.

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Dogs will get their chance to strut their stuff at the festival’s annual dog show Friday at 6:30 p.m. This show is not about breed or agility. Awards will be given out for for important things, like cutest puppy, cutest dog, ugliest, smallest, largest, best costume and silly dog tricks

Want to go?

WHAT: Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival

WHEN: April 26 to 28

WHERE: Downtown Bellbrook, Ohio (1 W. Franklin St.)

COST: Entrance to festival is free; pancake breakfast is $8 for adults, $4 for children older than 2, $20 for family admission.

INFO: sugarmaplefestival.com

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