Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, and grab a tasty treat, all at the 11th Annual Phelps Maple Syrup Fest!

Join us in Phelps on April 2, 2022 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
• 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
• View various maple syrup and honey displays

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

Congratulations to the 2022 Maple Syrup Judging Contest winners!

Category: Golden Color & Delicate Taste

First Place – Willis Family Maple Farm, Iron River MI

Second Place – B&H Maple Syrup & Honey, Chilton WI

Third Place – C&S Sugar Bush, Weywauwega WI

Category: Amber Color & Rich Taste

First Place – Schleif Sugar Bush, Merrill WI

Second Place – Country View Farm Maple, Sturgeon Bay WI

Third Place – Ski’s Sugar Shack, Merrill WI

Category: Dark Color & Robust Taste

First Place – Hedges Sugar Shack , Tripoli WI

Second Place –  Hinterland Taps, Minocqua WI

Third Place – Leder’s Pure Maple Syrup, Gleason WI

Category: Very Dark Color & Strong Taste

First Place –  Valyou Maple Farm, Melrose NY

Second Place –  10 Acre Black Maple Syrup, Depere WI

Third Place –  River Country Homestead, Iron River MI

Best Overall – Maple Syrup of the Year!

Schleif Sugar Bush, Merrill WI

Click here for the 2022 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 (3000). 

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!

We hope that you will join us for the 11th Annual Maple Syrup Fest on April 2, 2022

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!

Join us in Phelps, WI on April 2, 2022 for the 11th Annual Maple Syrup Fest!