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EnglishWhat Events Does the Michigan Maple Syrup Association Host?
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The Michigan Maple Syrup Association (MMSA) runs three main kinds of events: a Fall Tour with a chainsaw safety class, a Winter Meeting, and regionally staggered Key Maple Weekend dates. The Fall Tour 2026 is set for September 18–19 in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, with the tour based in the Rudyard area on September 19 and SAWW training on September 18; registration for it is handled by mail-in form. The Winter Meeting is scheduled for January 16–17 in Mt. Pleasant, and Key Maple Weekend runs on three separate weekends depending on region.
Fall Tour 2026: September 18–19, Eastern Upper Peninsula
This is the association's main autumn gathering, and the 2026 edition moves to the Upper Peninsula.
| Date | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 18, 2026 | SAWW Training (chainsaw safety class) | Eastern Upper Peninsula |
| Sept 19, 2026 | Fall Tour | Rudyard area, Upper Peninsula |
Two practical points stand out:
- Registration is by mail-in form, not an online signup. If you plan to attend, request or download the form early enough to allow for postal delivery.
- The two days serve different audiences. The SAWW training is a safety course for chainsaw work, which is relevant if you cut and manage your own woodlot for sap production. The tour itself is the broader event for visiting operations and meeting other producers.
Winter Meeting: January 16–17, Mt. Pleasant
The Winter Meeting is the association's cold-season gathering in Mt. Pleasant. The site lists the dates but not a detailed agenda, so treat the schedule as something to confirm closer to the event. Winter meetings of this kind typically cover production planning for the coming season, which makes January a sensible time to attend before tapping begins.
Key Maple Weekend: Three Regional Dates
Key Maple Weekend is spread across the state so that each region falls at a time when sap is likely running locally. The 2026 dates:
| Region | Dates |
|---|---|
| Southern Lower Michigan | March 21–22 |
| Northern Lower Michigan | March 28–29 |
| Upper Michigan | April 11–12 |
The staggered schedule follows the general northward progression of the sap season. If you want to visit a sugarbush, pick the weekend for the region you plan to travel to rather than assuming a single statewide date.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Beyond the three main events, the site points to membership as a way to stay connected to maple interests, an awards program (the MMSA 2026 Contest Best of Show went to Maple View Farms, the Zimmerman family), and a producer locations map for finding a sugarbush near you. The association describes itself as representing 150+ members, 150,000+ taps, and 50,000+ gallons.
How to Decide Which Event Fits
- You want hands-on safety skills for woodlot work: the September 18 SAWW training.
- You want to see Upper Peninsula operations and connect with producers: the September 19 Fall Tour; remember the mail-in registration.
- You want off-season planning and networking: the January Winter Meeting in Mt. Pleasant.
- You mainly want to watch syrup being made: a Key Maple Weekend date in your region.
Before traveling, confirm details on michiganmaple.org, since agendas and any registration requirements beyond the Fall Tour mail-in form are not fully spelled out on the page.