EVENTS
Dates: April 19-21, 2024
The City of Bellbrook is pleased to announce the 44th Annual Sugar Maple Festival (SMF) will be held in beautiful & historic downtown Bellbrook on April 19-21. This year we are excited to announce NEW events, features and activities to enhance our festival including a new entertainment tent, a wine tasting event, a pie eating contest, and an 80s themed Rock Party featuring popular local band Stranger on Friday night. As in years past, the SMF will feature activities for everyone! Entertainment & activities include live music, extended beer & wine garden hours, a parade, FREE children’s activities, crafts & food vendors, a 5K run/walk, a dog show, and of course – authentic Maple Syrup!
5K Race
The annual Sugar Maple Festival 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday morning with a start time of 9:00 AM following registration at 8:00 AM. Parking, registration ($10), and the race start will be at the St. Pierre Education Center (3757 Upper Bellbrook Rd) next to Bellbrook High School. For more information visit the Ohio River Road Runners Club race page at: https://orrrc.org/sugar-maple-5k/
Beer Garden & Live Bands
We will once again offer a Beer & Wine Garden with live bands on Friday & Saturday nights from 5:00-10:00 PM. The beer & wine garden will open on Saturday at noon immediately following the parade. In addition to our traditional offering of locally crafted beers from Warped Wing & Bock Breweries, wine and hard cider will also be offered. The Beer & Wine Garden will be located by the Live Entertainment Stage area on Walnut Street. Friday night features an ultimate 80s Rock Party with Stranger, 6:00-10:00 PM, and Saturday night features a returning festival favorite Spungewurthy from 6:00-10:00 PM.
Children's Activities
The festival offers lots of fun FREE activities for kids of all ages including carnival games & face painting, located in Bellbrock Park on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Citizen of the Year Award
Each year the Sugar Maple Festival Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a worthy individual(s) of the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township community, 18 years or older, who has been active in making the community a better place to live or has performed a service that is above the call of duty. This year’s winner is Louie Schatzberg, who has volunteered as the director of shuttle services for the SMF for over 18 years. In addition to his outstanding service to our SMF Committee, Louie also video records the festival parade and all Bellbrook City Council meetings for the community. For more information on previous winners and/or to nominate someone for next year’s festival, click here.
Crafts
The festival will have a multitude of vendors with spices, dips, soaps, candles, fabric items, baby bibs and several types of jewelry as well. Approximately 70 booths will line Franklin Street & the city parking lot. For more information, please e-mail Pam Ryan at pryan@woh.rr.com
Dog Show
New this year, our ever-popular SMF Dog Show will be moving to a NEW DAY, TIME & LOCATION. The 17th Annual Dog Show will be held Sunday at 1:00 PM in Bellbrock Park. Registration begins at 12:30 PM.
Entertainment
All entertainment is free and takes place at Bellbrock Park, the new Entertainment Tent, and in the front parking lot of Sugarcreek Township Fire Station. See the entertainment schedule here.
Food
The SMF will once again offer a wide variety of food for festival goers. Come hungry to the Sugar Maple Festival, because all sorts of foods will be offered along Main Street – from traditional sausages, hamburgers & French Fries to ice cream and maple syrup food items! New this year we are excited to have Schmidt’s Sausage Truck join us! They will offer specially made Maple Syrup Cream Puffs! Come join us and enjoy all the foods and flavors the festival has to offer.
Free Shuttle
Runs from Bell Creek Intermediate on Upper Bellbrook to Bellbrock Park on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttle times are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday, and 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday. Please note the festival does not have designated Handicapped parking.
Parade
Parade participants include Sugar Maple Ambassadors, local groups, youth sports teams, dancers and performers, horses, antique cars and the Bellbrook High School Marching Band. Make sure to grab a spot along West Franklin Street between Dot’s and the center of town to see the parade which starts at 10:30 AM on Saturday.
Pancake Breakfast (All-You-Can-Eat)
The annual “all-you-can eat” pancake breakfast will be held at The Bellbrook United Methodist Church 47 E. Franklin St., from 8:00-10:30 AM. Adults are $10 and children (2-16) are $5. Under 2 free. Family $25. Extra sausage $1. This year’s breakfast is run by and supports the Bellbrook HS Swim & Dive Team.
Park Activities
Bellbrock Park offers plenty of activities during the weekend. Located in downtown Bellbrook, it houses maple syrup, community information booths, live music & entertainment, and children’s activities.
Pie Eating Contest
New this year we are returning to fun from yesteryears! Come join us for a good old-fashioned pie eating contest on Saturday from 4:00-5:00pm in the Food Tent. We will have both adult and kid competitions! Cost is $10 per competitor
Ambassador Scholarship Program (formerly Sweethearts Contest)
New this year, the festival is offering a High School Student Ambassador Scholarship Program in place of our previous Sugar Maple Festival Sweetheart Contest. This new scholarship program is open to all Junior and Senior high school students living in the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek communities. Students may apply on-line at www.sugarmaplefestival.com. Applicants may be required to complete an in-person or video interview be considered for this role. The Committee is looking for students who embody the spirit of volunteerism, effectively help others, and are passionate about supporting worthwhile community causes. Winning students will assist the Committee during the Sugar Maple Festival weekend and scholarship money will be awarded.
Syrup
Authentic Sugar Maple Syrup is available for purchase in Bellbrock Park at the Old Sugar House (opposite the Gazebo).
Wine Tasting
New this year we are excited to host several local Ohio wineries for an exclusive wine tasting event on Sunday from 12:00-4:00pm, in the entertainment tent on Walnut Street. We will have live music during the tasting and a Taylor Swift Hour from 1:00-2:00pm. Cost is $30 for a package of 10 tastings and a wine glass. Individual sales will be available during the event. This event is credit and mobile pay only.
