RockBuzz Stateline's Reel
Sweeten Your Saturday at the 18th Annual Maple Sugar Fest! Get ready to embrace the late winter chill with a local favorite tradition. We are thrilled to invite you to the 18th Annual Maple Sugar Fest at the Welty Environmental Center! Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a day filled with fresh air, history, and of course, plenty of syrup. Located in the scenic upper level of Big Hill Park, this event lets you experience the entire tree to table process. You can hike through our beautiful sugarbush, try your hand at tapping sugar maple trees, and watch the fascinating process of boiling raw sap into golden syrup. The best part? You get to taste the final product! We will be serving freshly made pancakes and sausages drizzled with local syrup to keep you warm and fueled for the day. Fun for the Whole Family Beyond the syrup, we have packed the day with activities for all ages. You can enjoy cozy story times, learn about garden planning and wood carving, or explore the world of mushrooming. Kids can get creative with take-home crafts or enjoy a unique treat with our maple snow cones. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy while exploring the natural beauty of Big Hill Park. Breakfast and Tickets We make it easy to join the fun with tickets available right at the door. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards for your convenience. Breakfast pricing is as follows: Adult Members: $7 Adult Non-members: $10 Children (ages 3 to 12): $5 Children 2 and under: Free Extra Sausage: $1 per ticket About Welty Environmental Center For 27 years, Welty has been a staple of southern Rock County. We take pride in bringing environmental education to over 9,000 people every year. From school field trips and teacher workshops to family festivals and summer camps, our goal is to connect the community with the great outdoors. We are proud to collaborate with local school districts and organizations like Beloit College and the City of Beloit to make nature accessible to everyone. We can’t wait to see you at 1201 Big Hill Court to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Come hungry and ready to learn!