Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival

The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival is an annual family-friendly celebration held in historic downtown Wakarusa, Elkhart County, Indiana. The 57th edition takes place from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26, 2026. It is one of the most anticipated spring events in the state of Indiana, drawing locals and visitors alike to celebrate the arrival of spring with maple syrup traditions, lively entertainment, and activities for all ages.

Area and Atmosphere

The festival is centered at 100 W. Waterford Street in Wakarusa's charming small-town downtown. The atmosphere is warm, nostalgic, and quintessentially small-town Indiana, with the quaint streets transformed into a bustling festival ground featuring over 65 artisan vendors, 30-plus food vendors, and three days of continuous entertainment. The setting reflects Wakarusa's location in the heart of Elkhart County's Amish Country, lending a unique cultural flavor to the experience.

Key Activities and Features

• FREE freshly popped kettle corn — a longtime festival favorite available throughout the weekend.
• Maple Village on E. Waterford Street — a dedicated area where artisans sell maple syrup, maple wood items, maple candy, and other maple-themed snacks and products.
• Lions Club Pancake & Sausage Fundraiser — held Saturday, April 25 from 7:00 AM to noon at Doc's Pavilion.
• Parade — the Saturday morning parade at 10:00 AM through downtown, showcasing local groups, floats, and festive spirit.
• Magician and animal acts — live entertainment providing interaction and fun for kids and families.
• Live music acts — performers on a downtown stage, including cover bands playing retro and familiar tunes.
• Pedal pull competitions — a popular event where kids demonstrate strength and coordination.
• Carnival rides — available throughout the weekend for children and families.
• Over 65 artisan and craft vendors selling handmade goods and unique products from across the region.
• 30+ food trucks and vendors offering fair food favorites and a wide array of festival treats.
• Wakarusa Dime Store — a local shop offering nostalgic sweets like jumbo jellybeans.
• Amish buggy rides — a unique cultural experience reflecting the area's Amish heritage.
• Maple sugar camp tours — demonstrations of how maple syrup is traditionally produced.
• Senior Oasis Tent — a calm, comfortable area for seniors with games, entertainment, informational booths, and wheelchairs available for those in need.
• 5K Run/Walk and Maple 1-Mile Run/Walk — the Maple 1-Mile starts at 7:30 AM and the 5K starts at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning.

Schedule Highlights

• Friday, April 24 (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM): Opening day with vendor booths, artisan displays, Maple Village, live music and entertainment, carnival rides, food vendors, and free kettle corn.
• Saturday, April 25 (9:00 AM – 9:00 PM): Maple 1-Mile Run at 7:30 AM and 5K Run at 8:00 AM; Lions Club Pancake & Sausage Fundraiser 7:00 AM – noon at Doc's Pavilion; parade at 10:00 AM downtown; full schedule of entertainment including magicians, animal acts, live music, and pedal pull contests; continuous artisan and craft sales; Amish buggy rides; maple sugar camp tours.
• Sunday, April 26 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM): Continued artisan markets, Maple Village, music performances, craft vendors, and food trucks; last chance for carnival rides and festival treats before closing.

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

History and Founding

The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival has a charmingly accidental origin. In 1968, the Wakarusa Chamber of Progress received a puzzling inquiry from a media representative asking about the town's upcoming festival — a festival that, to everyone's knowledge, did not exist. To this day, no one knows how the rumor started. Rather than dismiss it, town leaders seized the opportunity: a committee was formed, discussions were held, and in the spring of 1969, Wakarusa presented its very first Maple Syrup Festival. What began as a response to a mistaken inquiry has grown over more than five decades into one of Indiana's most beloved spring traditions, celebrated for its authentic small-town charm and maple syrup heritage.

The festival emphasizes community involvement, accessibility, and creating memorable family experiences. It is free to attend and offers something for every age group, set against the backdrop of one of northern Indiana's most charming downtown areas.