March 16 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Maple Sugarin’ Festival
The fifth season is approaching- the Maple Sugarin’ Season! Bring your families, bring your friends to celebrate this sappy gift from the trees! Along a half-mile hike through the maple forest, you can tap a tree, trade nature items for maple candies, observe various means of syrup production through history, and complete a sappy scavenger hunt. Upon arrival at the Sugarbush House, listen to live music while you sip sap tea, or maple-sugar rimmed beer for the adults, and taste the Riveredge special- pancakes & pickles! You’ll learn just how sap is made into golden & sweet maple syrup.
See below for more Maple Sugarin’ Festival details.
All ages welcome!
Members ages 3+: $3 | Non-members ages 3+: $5 | Children under 3: Free!
Pre-registration is not required but highly recommended.
Register Here
Sponsors:
5 Corners Storage
The Steve and Terry Johnson Fund
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here!
Check in and Registration at the Main Visitor Center
Parking
All guests are asked to park at Newburg Fireman’s Park (622 W Main St, West Bend, WI 53090). Guests with mobility challenges and VIPs can park at the Visitor Center (4458 County Rd Y, Saukville, WI 53080) .
Timing
The festival runs from 12-4pm on Saturday, 3/16, come and go as you please! Live music at the Sugarbush House from 1-3pm
Accessibility
A shuttle will be provided between the activities at the Main Visitor Center and those at the Sugarbush House. There will be additional accessible parking reserved at the Main Visitor Center. All-terrain wheelchairs are available to reserve for the event. Learn more or reserve a wheelchair here.
Weather
Riveredge events run rain, snow, or shine! We will adapt activities as weather demands, and ask that you dress for the forecast. The majority of the event is outdoors. Registration is non-refundable.
What to Expect
You can look forward to activities like:
- Tree Tappin’ Trading Post
- Maple Legends, Stories, and Songs
- Try-it-Yourself Tree Tappin’
- Crafting with Natural Materials
- Evaporator Demonstration
- Live Music at the Sugarbush House from 1-3pm
- Delicious treats! A pancake & pickle in syrup is provided with your registration. Additional pancakes will be available for purchase, as well as hot chocolate, black coffee & specialty maple sugar coffee, maple sugar rimmed beer (21+), sap tea, and popcorn.
To become a member, click here
March 16
@
12:00 pm
–
4:00 pm
March 9 and 10 @ 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30 each day
Youth and Scout Maple Sugarin’ Days
Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H groups, and youth organizations of all kinds are invited to a sweet adventure at Riveredge Nature Center! This 1.5-hour program is designed for young people to delve into the fascinating world of maple syrup production. Participants will witness the enchanting process from tapping maple trees to the final amber product during a naturalist-guided hiking tour of the Riveredge sugarbush.
Engage in hands-on activities such as identifying maples, tapping trees, and experiencing the magic of sap turning to syrup. Our knowledgeable guides will share the history and science behind maple sugaring, making this experience both educational and delicious. Immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds, and tastes of this traditional practice, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and its sweet bounty. Take part in a time-honored Riveredge tradition- a pancake & pickle, topped with maple syrup produced by the trees you’ve just visited. Don’t miss out on this sticky, sweet adventure that promises to leave everyone with a lasting, maple-flavored memory!
For scouts and youth ages 4+
A minimum of 1 chaperone per 10 youth is required. 3 chaperones maximum per group. If your group is larger than 25 youth, please register for more than 1 group. The maximum number of youth per session is 75 (3 groups of 25).
$50 per 5-10 youth| $75 per 11-15 youth
$100 per 16-20 youth, $125 per 21-25 youth
Pre-registration is required by March 2 at 11:59 pm. Use the links below to register for your choice of time slot.
Saturday 9:30-11am FULL Saturday 11:30am-1pm
Saturday 1:30-3pm FULL Sunday 9:30-11am
Sunday 11:30am-1pm Sunday 1:30-3pm
March 9
@
9:30 am
–
3:00 pm
February 24 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Family Tapping
Help us prepare for the sugarin’ season by tapping the maple trees in Riveredge’s sugarbush. We need people to drill the holes, tap in the spiles and hang the buckets. When it’s maple sugarin’ time, spring can’t be far behind!
For ages 5+ (younger siblings welcome to tag along!)
Member Adult (12+): $5 | Non-member Adult (12+): $10
Member Child (5-11): $3 | Non-member Child (5-11): $5
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-register by February 23 at 11:55 pm or register at the program if spots are available.
Register Here
Members:
If you need to check your membership status , please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at [email protected] or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.
To become a member, click here
February 24
@
1:00 pm
–
2:30 pm
February 24 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
From Sap to Syrup
Maple sugaring on a small scale is a great way to welcome spring! Join Riveredge staff to see the sugaring process from beginning to end. Learn how to identify and tap a maple; collect and boil down the sap; and how to finish off and bottle the syrup.
Ages 18+
Members: $15 | Non-members: $25
Pre-registration required by February 23 at 12:00 pm (noon)
Register Here
Members:
If you need to check your membership status , please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at [email protected] or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.
To become a member, click here
February 24
@
9:30 am
–
11:30 am
March 18 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Maple Sugarin’ Festival
The Festival is back! The Maple Sugarin’ Shindigs have been wonderful, but it’s time- you are invited to our grand celebration of spring- the Maple Sugarin’ Festival!
See description below.
In an effort to make the Maple Sugarin’ Festival more accessible to everyone, the registration fee is the same for members and non-members this year. Instead of a discount, members will get some fun Riveredge swag when they arrive at the festival!
All ages welcome!
Everyone ages 2+: $3 | Children under 2: Free!
Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not required. Online registration will close at 4pm on Friday 3/17. Walk-in registrations will be available the day of the festival!
Register Here
Sponsor: Outpost Natural Foods
Weather Forecast
Saturday will be cold and windy. Trails are icy. Please dress in warm layers! We have adapted activities for warmth and safety.
Instead of hiking through the Sugarbush, a shuttle will be provided between the activities at the Main Center and those at the Sugarbush House. We will have additional Handicap Parking available at both sites if you will need your vehicle for transport.
Check in and Registration at the Main Center.
Parking
If parking fills up at the Main Center, there will be parking available at Newburg Fireman’s Park, and a bus shuttle will be running.
Timing
The event runs from 12-4pm on Saturday, 3/18, come and go as you please! Live music at the Sugarbush House from 1-3pm
What to Expect
You can look forward to activities like:
- Adventure Add-On: Geocaching!
Using a GPS unit, go on a treasure hunt around Riveredge in search of hidden containers, and leave with a prize. $5 per family.
- Beaded Sumac Zipper Pulls
- Tree Tappin’ Trading Post
- Maple Legends, Stories, and Songs
- Try-it-Yourself Tree Tappin’
- Crafting with Lesley
- Evaporator Demonstration
- As well as delicious treats! A pancake & pickle in syrup is provided with your registration. Additional pancakes will be available for purchase, as well as…
Hot chocolate
Black coffee & specialty maple sugar coffee
Maple Sugar Rimmed Beer
Sap Tea
Popcorn
- Riveredge Kid, Josh Ammons, will be strumming his guitar and singing sweet tunes next to the woodstove from 1-3pm. While you listen, peruse the Sugarbush Store for maple goodness to take home, and check out local artist, Keaton Diffor’s beautiful, nature-inspired work (all eyes on the Pancakes in the Woods cards and stickers).
- To become a member, click here
March 18, 2023
@
12:00 pm
–
4:00 pm
March 11 and 12
9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Scout and Youth Maple Sugarin’ Day
Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, and youth groups of all kinds are invited to this special weekend! Learn how maple trees are tapped and syrup is made in a naturalist-guided tour of our sugarbush. Take part in a time-honored Riveredge tradition- a pancake & pickles, topped with maple syrup produced by the trees you’ve just visited.
Two dates and three times each day are available:
Saturday, March 11, 2022 9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Sunday, March 12, 2022 9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Ages 5-12 | $6 per scout | 2 chaperones can join for free
$25 deposit required to book | $50 minimum
Registration required by March 3, 2023
Sign Up Here
March 12, 2023
@
9:30 am
–
3:30 pm
March 11 and 12
9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Scout and Youth Maple Sugarin’ Day
Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, and youth groups of all kinds are invited to this special weekend! Learn how maple trees are tapped and syrup is made in a naturalist-guided tour of our sugarbush. Take part in a time-honored Riveredge tradition- a pancake & pickles, topped with maple syrup produced by the trees you’ve just visited.
Two dates and three times each day are available:
Saturday, March 11, 2022 9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Sunday, March 12, 2022 9:30-11am, 11:30am-1pm, 2-3:30pm
Ages 5-12 | $6 per scout | 2 chaperones can join for free
$25 deposit required to book | $50 minimum
Registration required by March 3, 2023
Sign Up Here
March 11, 2023
@
9:30 am
–
3:30 pm
February 25 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Family Tapping
Help us prepare for the Maple Sugarin’ season by tapping the maple trees in Riveredge’s sugarbush. We need people to drill the holes, tap in the spiles and hang the buckets. When it’s maple sugarin’ time, spring can’t be far behind!
Ages 5+
All Access Member: FREE! | Trail Pass Member: $5 Adults, $3 12 & under | Non-member: $9 Adults, $7 12 & under
REGISTRATION IS FULL.
-
Registration
Ages 5+
All Access Member: FREE!
Trail Pass Member: $5 Adults, $3 12 & under
Non-member: $9 Adults, $7 12 & under
REGISTRATION IS FULL
Waitlist
-
Become a Member
Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!
Join Now
-
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Event Calendar
February 25, 2023
@
1:00 pm
–
2:30 pm
February 25 9:30 am – 11:30 am
From Sap to Syrup
Maple sugaring on a small scale is a great way to welcome spring! Join Riveredge staff to see the sugaring process from beginning to end. Learn how to identify and tap a maple; collect and boil down the sap; and how to finish off and bottle the syrup.
Ages 18+
All Access Member: $10 | Trail Pass Member: $15 | Non-member: $25
Registration closes February 24 at 11:59 pm
Register Here
-
Registration
Ages 18+
All Access Member: $10
Trail Pass Member: $15
Non-member: $25
Register Here
-
Become a Member
Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!
Join Now
-
More Events
Explore other upcoming events!
Event Calendar
February 25, 2023
@
9:30 am
–
11:30 am
March 16 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Nature Tots: Sweet Treats from the Sugarbush
The sap is running and sugarin’ time is here! Join us as we learn about this special time of year- when animals and people seek the sweet sap of a sugar maple. We will hike to the sugarbush to tap a maple tree, taste some sap and gather around the evaporator to see how boiling sap becomes syrup.
Nature Tots is an early childhood program designed for learners ages 2-5 years old, accompanied by an adult guardian (little siblings ages 0-1 are welcome to tag along). A Riveredge Naturalist will focus on outdoor exploration, literacy, physical development, nature intelligence, and social development.
Programs will be cancelled and refunded in the case of inclement weather.
All Access Members: $4 | Trail Pass Members: $6 | Non-members: $8
Register Here
-
Registration
Ages 2-5
All Access Members: $4
Trail Pass Members: $6
Non-members: $8
Register Here
-
Become a Member
Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!
Join Now
-
More Events
Explore other upcoming events!
Event Calendar
Members:
Be sure to sign in to your account in the upper right corner to activate your membership benefits. Membership discounts on programs will be applied to your cart at checkout. If you haven’t created an account with our new system, be sure to create one using the email address associated with your membership.
If you need to check your membership status or you aren’t sure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at [email protected].
To become a member, click here
March 16, 2022
@
10:00 am
–
11:30 am