This years festival brings crafts, food, entertainment and, of course, syrup 

The 45th annual Sugar Maple Festival will take over downtown Bellbrook from April 25 to 27, offering a weekend full of music, food and authentic maple syrup. 

This year’s festival brings exciting additions, including morning coffee and donut vendors during Saturday’s parade and a hot dog eating contest hosted by the Bellbrook Fire Department. Moreover, the expanded entertainment tent and beer garden hours will allow for more time to soak in two local bands: Britches Down and Stranger, performing Friday and Saturday nights, respectively. For those looking to shop, visitors can browse handmade goods ranging from soaps and candles to jewelry and fabric items from the 70 vendors that will be there.  

Saturday morning kicks off with a pancake breakfast at Bellbrook United Methodist Church and a 5K run/walk starting at St. Pierre Education Center. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. along West Franklin Street. Throughout the rest of the day, numerous activities will be available for children to enjoy. Live entertainment will be in Bellbrook Park while the beer garden will pour craft brews, cider and wine. Sunday offers more live music, food and crafts, the dog show at 1 p.m. and a sap boil demonstration in the Sugar House.  

The Sugar Maple Festival will also continue its tradition of honoring community spirit with its Citizen of the Year Award, given to those in the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township who work to “make the community a better place to live or have performed a service that is above the call of duty.” Moreover, the Ambassador Scholarship Program will award “students who embody the spirit of volunteerism.”  

More information, including a full schedule, can be found at sugarmaplefestival.com.