Maple Syrup Events are Annual Favorites in Southwest Michigan
One of our favorite signs of spring on our event calendar is maple syrup time!
Tapping the trees for syrup is a time-honored spring tradition in Southwest Michigan and another great sign that warmer weather is coming.
If you’re new to this annual SWMI tradition, we’ve got the scoop on some common FAQs and events for this sweet season.
In this article
Maple Syrup FAQs
Test your sticky-sweet knowledge with these frequently asked questions:
Can you make syrup from all varieties of maple trees?
Yes, but their sugar concentrations vary. Sugar maples have the highest concentration of sugar.
What is a “sugar shack?”
A sugar shack is a small cabin or group of cabins where sap from maple trees is boiled to make syrup.
How much sap is needed to make 1 gallon of maple syrup?
In a word- LOTS. Approximately 40 gallons of sap from a sugar maple tree make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
How do you remove the sap from the maple tree?
Collecting sap requires “tapping” maple trees. The experts at the Kalamazoo Nature Center demonstrate the process here:
Kalamazoo Nature Center Maple Sugar Festival
KNC’s annual Maple Sugar Festival is likely the best-known festival in the area. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser and an annual tradition for SWMI families.
The proceeds from the event support KNC’s programming offered throughout the year.
More SWMI Festivals & Events
Find more upcoming maple sugar and seasonal festivals here.
Looking for more local fun? Find more events on our calendar.
Are you a Maple Syrup Festival Fan?
Leave us a comment with your favorite events for maple syrup season!
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