Shepherd festival celebrates 50 years

Shepherd public schools to hold
the annual maple syrup festival

By Dan Schultz

Edited by Alex Shepardson and Trisha VanKoughnett

Shepherd’s Maple Syrup Festival is recognizing its 50^th anniversary this year thanks to the help of the community, its citizens and its school.

Running April 25-27 at Shepherd public schools, event planners will help reminisce on the past 50 years, along with celebrating an event that began to simply support Shepherd’s athletic programs.

“Basically, the school gets taken over,” Shepherd High School Principal Douglas J. Bush said.

“There will be arts and crafts lining the middle school hallways, along with a variety of shows both inside and outside of the complex,” Bush explained.

Bush, a 39-year-old native of Shepherd, has participated in every festival since he was a child.

“I always did it (volunteered) because my dad did it, and now my wife and kids—my family—do the same thing,” he said.

Proceeds from this year’s festival will be given to Shepherd’s summer baseball and softball programs. Bush anticipates many of Shepherd’s athletic teams will be involved in the 3-day event.

“We just put a notice in the newsletter for the kids, but it’s something they usually get excited about,” High School Counselor Julie Heintz said.

Participants can expect live music, cow patty bingo, quilt shows, parades, tractor pulls, and the annual Queen’s Pageant, to name a few. The festival’s website gives a complete listing of attractions.

“It’s interesting how it’s changed over the years,” Bush said.

“We didn’t used to have all the carnival rides and games. I can remember when I was a kid trailers were backed up all the way out to the expressway.”

Now decades later, the event is still thriving thanks to the volunteered support from the community.

Event organizers still need volunteers, with over 580 spots to fill the seven shifts for the pancake and sausage meals. For more information contact Pete Alexander at (989) 828-5422.