History of the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival

The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival was started in 1969 by the Chamber of Progress, which has since been changed to the Chamber of Commerce, as a project to create and stimulate interest for the Town of Wakarusa and its surrounding communities. 

The following information relates to the festival's 1976 celebration:

The festival chairmen were Eldon Martin and Lester Yoder for the first years, however when a change in occupation for Eldon that required more time, that left Yoder and his wife, Birdena, who carried on until 1973 when Jay Klein accepted the responsibilities of acting as co-chairman, and Jay's wife ( Helen Klein) led the festival committee.

Lewis and Janet Weaver each year had been responsible for the Maple Syrup Queen Contest at the Wakarusa Elementary School selecting an 8th grade girl by vote of the students to reign as Queen. 

Kenny Miller and his two sons, Ken Jr. and Bob had spearheaded our shuttle system in town consisting of six tractors and wagons to help with the traffic situation. 

Our Police Department and the Jaycees had their hands full directing traffic and parking cars. 

James Eaton, principal of the school, had been very instrumental and co-operative with the Festival Committee in allowing the facilities at the school to be used. 

Judy Smeltzer was in charge of the Antique dealers at the gym for several years along with Rev. Charles Henderson.  The big attraction in the gym at the school is filled with dealers each year from Indiana and neighboring states.

Sausage and pancakes go good with Maple Syrup so the Lions Clubs of Wakarusa and Madison Township assume this part of the festival. 

The Boy Scouts of Wakarusa help keep Wakarusa clean and help with the popcorn bagging.

Don & Evelyn Stichter had the responsibility for the Educational Days for all the surrounding schools that schedule a field trip the week of the festival when they could pay a visit to the town and see the Maple Syrup at the Sugar Camp being made from start to the finish. 

As we have put our minds and thoughts together to put into words the many people, organizations, and groups of people that have been instrumental in making the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival grow at no time have we intentionally tried to omit anyone.

The attitudes and inspiration of many people have caused us to think constructively to insert a program each year for the benefit of our town and community. 

Rick Vandergrift had compiled a very attractive brochure during the early years. The Progressive Homemakers Club have published a Maple Syrup Cookbook  years ago. 

The free hand art work and illustrations through the festival have been done by Mrs. Craig (Linda) Spicher, and to her we express our appreciation. 

The roasting of a hog sounded good to the Festival Committee and for years has turned into a good attraction and was carried on by the Wakarusa Parent Teachers Organization. 

A sack of free pop-corn popped in an open kettle created a tremendous communication builder between the hosts of the Festival and the people who came to the Festival.

This aspect of the Festival has been carried on each year by volunteers like Harold and Alpha May Mumaw and many individuals that volunteer a couple hours of handing a sack of popcorn to young and old alike from many distant places. 

Maple Syrup purchased from farmers in the Wakarusa area is offered for sale to people from distance places, which help defray festival expenses. A big attraction to the festival was the actual boiling of sap water to maple syrup on the square in Wakarusa. Sap buckets were hung on trees of interested families in town and a capable group of men, boys and girls collect the sap water the week of the festival and haul it to the square and put it into tanks for the boiling to maple syrup. A taste of the sweet tasting maple syrup was another sample of good will from Lloyd Pitney and his interested helpers of Wakarusa.

A chicken bar-b-que by the NorthWood Music Boosters of our high school was another attraction. Home baked pastries by church groups and 4-H groups offer excellent breakfast memories of the past day spent in Wakarusa. 

We have greatly appreciated the fine co-operation received from the Executive Director of the Indiana Railroad Association of Norfolk & Western, Mr. Howard Odom, who had advised us through the Vice President of Public Affairs in Washington D.C. Mr. Walter Clement, that they would have an 85-foot Railway Safety Instruction Car in our Town for the school children during our Educational Days and our festival.

The Historical Society had also appreciated the cooperation from Mr. W. S. Van Arsdell, Lieutenant of Police of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company in opening the Wakarusa Depot at which time, Mr. Sam Fisher, retired Railway agent, and Mr. Don Wycuff the most recent retired Railway Agent, was the most active explaining the procedure of the Depot.

"Our Festival is a community coordinated effort implementing organizations, civic groups, merchants, school children, churches, farmers and many individuals all working together to project a warm friendly welcome to all who have visited our festival in the past. We trust that all who come and go might have said, 'I'm glad that we came to Wakarusa.'"

Today (2005) the Maple Syrup Festival  has become a very successful festival. We have activities for everyone, young and old.

Community support is what makes this festival a success--the town businesses and factories, nursing home and everyone that contributes money--so people can enjoy the first outing of the season...free popcorn, free trip to sugar camp, museums and stops at all places that has some thing to see or do. 

The festival's success is also made possible by the dedicated members of the Maple Syrup Festival Committee.