The four-day festival is family oriented with many enjoyable activities for all ages. Pancake, maple syrup, and sausage meals are served from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. During the festival, we offer a 10k & 5k Run/Walk, arts & crafts, flea market, tractor pulls, demolition derby, two parades, quilt show, petting zoo, worship service, plus amusement and pony rides add up to a most memorable weekend.

In August of 1958, the Board of Directors of the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce decided to promote a Maple Syrup Festival. The Shepherd Sugar Bush Corporation was created and planning began for the first, one day festival where 125 gallons of maple syrup were made and a few hundred meals were served. Through the years the event has grown to become a three day festival providing up to 11,000 meals. If it had not been for many volunteers and visitors from locations all over Michigan and neighboring states, the festival never could have accomplished all that it has during the past 53 years.

As usual there will be the famous and delicious Pancake, Maple Syrup, and Sausage Meals served at the Shepherd High School throughout the event.
All of the planned activities (including craft shows, entertainment, children’s activities, museums, tractor pulls, classic car and tractor displays, parades, chainsaw carving, and amusement train and pony rides) add up to a most enjoyable and memorable weekend for people of all ages. You're invited to witness hometown hospitality at its best and join us in the “Sweetest Little Town Anywhere Around”.