It Was 1958 When The Earliest Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival Was Held In Shepherd. Trees Were Tapped, Sap Was Gathered By Volunteers, And The Public Was Invited To A Community Wide Pancake Dinner. Proceeds From The Sale Of The Syrup Helped Support Recreational Activities And Facilities In The Community. In Its Earliest Years,  Festivals Consisted Of Fun, Family Activities, And Was A Community Driven Effort.

Today, The Tradition Lives On Thanks To The Sugar Bush Which Produces The Syrup, Shepherd Public Schools Which Graciously Opens Up Their Buildings For Our Activities, The Resources And Support Provided By The Village Of Shepherd, And, Most Of All, The Residents Of Shepherd Who Dedicate Their Time And Energy Towards Helping To Make The Festival Happen.

Schedule Of Events:

April 24, 2025

10 am - 7 pm - Pony Rides
3 pm - 8:30 pm - Helicopter Rides
5 pm - 10:30 pm - Midway Carnival

April 25, 2025

10 am - 7 pm - Pony Rides
12 pm - Tractor Show
3 pm - 8:30 pm - Helicopter Rides
1 pm - 10:30 pm - Midway Carnival
3 pm - 7 pm - Arts and Crafts Show
3 pm - 7 pm - Pancake and Sausage Meals
4 pm - 11 pm - Lions Club Bingo
4 pm - 6 pm - Little Red School House Tours
4 pm - 8 pm - Sugar Bush Tours and Syrup Sales
6 pm - Cornhole Tournament
7:30 pm - Talent Show
Dusk - Emergency Vehicle Light Parade

April 26, 2025

8 am - 5k Walk/Run
9 am - Kids Fun Run
8 am-7 pm - Pancake and Sausage Meals
8 am - Tractor Show
9 am-7 pm - Arts and Crafts Show
9 am-3 pm - Classic Car and Truck Show
9 am-5 pm - Festival Of Quilts
9 am-5 pm - Sugar Bush Tours and Syrup Sales
10 am-2 pm - Country Neighbors 4h Petting Zoo
10 am-8:30 pm - Helicopter Rides
10 am-4 pm - Little Red School House Tours
10 am-7 pm - Pony Rides
10 am - Tractor Pull
Train Depot Museum
12 pm - 11 pm - Lions Club Bingo
12 pm - 10:30 pm - Midway Carnival
12 pm - 11 pm - Children's Village
Horse Pull: Auction 1 pm Pull Follows
7 pm - 8:30 pm - Central Mi Area Concert Band

April 27, 2025

8 am - Arts and Crafts Show
8 am-12 pm - Pancake and Sausage Meals
8 am-12 pm - Tractor Show
9 am - Golf Scramble
9 am - Pancake Eating Contest
9 am-2 pm - Sugar Bush Tours and Syrup Sales
Train Depot Museum
10 am-8:30 pm - Helicopter Rides
10 am-5 pm - Pony Rides
10 am - Sweet Assembly Of Praise
11 am - Garden Tractor Pull
Midway Carnival Date Will Be Announced
12:30 pm - Petoskey Steel Drum Band
1:30 pm-2 pm - Shepherd Schools Choir
2:30 pm - Grand Parade

Date: April 24 - 27, 2025

Location: Various Venues in Shepherd, MI

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