EVENTS
Dates: April 25-27, 2025
The City of Bellbrook is pleased to announce the 45 th Annual Sugar Maple Festival (SMF) will be held in beautiful & historic downtown Bellbrook on April 25-27, 2025. This year we are excited to announce the return of our expanded entertainment tent, extended beer garden hours, and two nights of amazing entertainment from two very popular local bands: Britches Down (Friday night) and Stranger (Saturday night). New this year, coffee and donut vendors will be open during the parade and the Bellbrook Fire Department will be hosting a Hot Dog Eating Contest! With an emphasis on safety and security, festival goers will see enhanced precautions with extra barriers at street entrances around the festival areas. As in years past, the SMF will feature activities for everyone including live music, 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 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday morning. Registration begins at 8:00 am with the race starting at 9:00 am. Parking, registration ($10), and the race will start at the St. Pierre Education Center (3757 Upper Bellbrook Rd) next to Bellbrook High School. For more information visit the race web page at: https://www.orrrc.org/races/apr-jun/sugar-maple
Beer Garden & Live Bands
We will once again offer a Beer Garden with live bands on Friday & Saturday nights from 5:00-10:00 PM. The beer garden will open on Saturday at noon immediately following the parade and at noon on Sunday. 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 Garden will be located by the Live Entertainment Stage on Walnut Street. Friday night features a Country themed night with Britches Down, 6:00-10:00 PM, and Saturday night features an 80s rock party with Stranger from 6:00-10:00 PM.
Ambassador Scholarship Program
SMF is pleased to announce the 2nd annual High School Student Ambassador Scholarship Program which is open to all Junior and Senior high school students living in the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek communities. Students may be required to complete an in-person interview to 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 Festival weekend and scholarship money will be awarded.
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. Nominations are due by Sunday, March 16 and may be submitted to community.smf@outlook.com.
Crafts
The festival will have a multitude of vendors with spices, dips, soaps, candles, fabric items, and several types of jewelry as well. Approximately 70 booths will line Franklin Street & the city parking lot.
Dog Show
The 18 th Annual Dog Show will be held on 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 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. Food vendors will be lined up along Main Street and offer everything from traditional sausages, hamburgers & french fries to ice cream, donuts and maple syrup food items! Back by popular demand, Schmidt’s Sausage Truck and Deathgrip Donuts will be returning this year.
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.
Hot Dog Eating Contest
New this year, the Bellbrook Fire Department is hosting a Hot Dog Eating Contest featuring their famous SPICY hot dog! The contest will be held Saturday at 4:00 PM.
Maple Syrup & Sap Boil Demonstration
Sugar share helpers may deliver frozen sap to the old Sugar House in Bellbrock Park on Saturday morning where we will be hosting a sap boil to demonstrate the evaporation process. Samples will be available and syrup will be for Sale in the Sugar House.
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. 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.
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).
