Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, and grab a tasty treat, all at the 12th Annual Phelps Maple Syrup Fest!

Join us in Phelps on April 1, 2023 at Phelps School for a sweet celebration of maple syrup! Phelps Maple Syrup Fest is a family friendly event, where you can:

• Stroll the Arts & Crafts Show (vendor application below)
• Watch tree-tapping demonstrations
• Cooking with Maple Syrup demo by the Tipsy Housewife!
• Find treats at the Maple Café
• Take a tour of local sugar bushes to see where this popular treat originates and how sap becomes syrup
• Meet Alice in Dairyland! Wisconsin's very own agriculture ambassador.

This Phelps event is perfect for all ages! The day’s activities and sugarbush tours are free of charge for all attendees. A portion of the proceeds from Maple Syrup Fest will benefit area high school graduates through continuing education scholarships.

Fun & Educational Classes at Maple Syrup Fest!

Want to make your own syrup or honey? Do you already tap your own trees but are looking for some tips on filtering or perfecting your craft? We've got experts on hand! This year's classes and demos include:

Beekeeping and Honey

Flavors of Maple Syrup

Cooking with Maple Syrup – with The Tipsy Housewife!

Tree Tapping

Making Maple Taffy on the Snow

Maple Syrup Judging Contest – run by the professionals at Smoky Lake Maple Products!

CLICK HERE for the 2023 Syrup Judging Contest Entry Form and Info

Congratulations to the 2023 Maple Syrup Judging Contest winners!

Best Overall – Maple Syrup of the Year!

Hansen’s Sugar Shack, Marshfield WI

Category: Golden Color & Delicate Taste

First Place – Primrose Maple, Elkhart Lake WI

Second Place – Fritzo, Howards Grove WI

Third Place – Backyard Boiler, Freedom WI

Category: Amber Color & Rich Taste

First Place – CVF Dairy, Sturgeon Bay WI

Second Place – Ski’s Sugar Shack, Merrill W

Third Place – Richfield Historical Society, Richfield WI

Category: Dark Color & Robust Taste

First Place – Hansen’s Sugar Shack, Marshfield WI

Second Place –  Wanish Sugar Bush, Colfax WI

Third Place – Hinterland Taps, Minocqua WI

Category: Very Dark Color & Strong Taste

First Place –  10 Acre Black Maple Syrup, Depere WI

Second Place – Hedges Sugar Shack, Tripoli WI

Third Place – Martin Family Tap, Hartland WI

Click here for the 2023 Maple Syrup Judging Contest Full Results

Each year contestants submitted syrup for judging from four states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine and New York! Maple syrup came from sugar bushes with just a few trees tapped (5) to thousands of trees (5000). 

We have had many great entries over the years, making the job tough for our dedicated judges. Grade A syrup is categorized by color and taste. Entries are evaluated on density, clarity, flavor, color and containers. Last year all entries gave the judges a great experience tasting each of the unique syrups and picking out the underlying flavors.

Please remember that entries may be disqualified with a density score too low to qualify as maple syrup. Judge’s notation: keep boiling!

Click here for the Craft Show Vendor Application

Click here for Sponsorship Information

Fun Facts about Maple Syrup

• Did you know that maple syrup was one of Wisconsin’s first agricultural products?
• It takes 10 whole gallons of sap to make 1 quart of syrup!
• Maple syrup is actually good for your health – it increases red blood cell growth and is proven to treat digestive disorders.
• Humans aren’t the only ones that take advantage of maple trees – squirrels tap the trees with their 2 front teeth and drink the sap straight from the tree!
• Not all maple syrup is the same; flavor can be affected by the tree tapped, weather and climate, and different production methods. Don’t just buy one bottle – try out different maple syrup products for a variety of sweet tastes!
• Wisconsin produces an average of 74,000 gallons of maple syrup a year!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Sponsoring one of our local activities or making a donation is a great way for your business to receive positive exposure in multiple ways.  Download the form here or contact the Phelps Chamber to learn how to become a sponsor of this wonderful event!