The community will celebrate its traditional maple syrup season Friday through Sunday in the Goodman and Armstrong Creek, Wis., area.

The family-oriented event features maple syrup production tours, pancake breakfast, Sappy Days Market, a spaghetti dinner, along with a cornhole tournament and bingo.

“They can also take advantage of specials at local businesses,” event organizer Linda Stankevich said.

Festivities kick off with an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Armstrong Creek Community Center. The dinner will be sponsored by the Goodman-Armstrong Creek Fire Department.

VISITORS TOUR THE Lumberjack Maple Syrup Co. in Armstrong Creek, Wis., at the 2024 Sappy Days event. (Submitted photo)

On Saturday, local sugar camps will open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. for tours while they demonstrate the craft of maple sugaring.

“This unique opportunity will allow guests to see how maple syrup production can vary from a family- owned operation to a commercial business operation,” said Stankevich.

Those wishing for a sap cooking time can inquire at each individual operation.

Camp locations are —

— Fence, Wis.: Hedmark’s Maple Ridge, 6748 Lunds Road.

SNOWSHOE MAPLES, N18926 Snowshoe Road in Goodman, Wis., will again take part in the annual Sappy Days: A Wisconsin Maple Syrup Experience. (Submitted photo)

— Armstrong Creek, Wis.: Lumberjack Maple Syrup Co., 8698 Wall Road; and Maple Syrup from Forest’s Forest, 9607 W. Forest Lake Lane.

— Goodman: Flannery’s, W16084 Twin Lake Road; Snowshoe Maples, N18926 Snowshoe Road; Stonewall Sugar Bush, W16020 Highway 8; and Jeff Nooyen’s Sugar Hill, N20123 County H.

— Blackwell, Wis.: Northwoods Unicorn, 764 Moonlight Lane.

Stankevich noted that attendees can tour the processing operation at Lumberjack Maple Syrup Co., although the tree tapping is off site. Those interested in visiting the wooded area can meet at the sugar house and escorts will guide them. They will leave each hour starting at 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Each Sappy Days business will have syrup available to sample and purchase, along with other maple-infused foods and beverages, including brats, vinaigrettes, beer, root beer, bourbon, desserts, popcorn and more.

She reminds guests to dress appropriately for the weather, as well as the muddy woods.

During the three days, local establishments will offer food and drink specials with a maple flair.

“Stop in and see what the local businesses have to offer,” Stankevich said. “Some locations will also be giving away door prizes.”

Participating businesses include Armstrong Creek Pub, The White House, The Little White Fence, 8-Hi Club, The Blue Roof Saloon, The Green Shack, Stoney Ridge Restaurant and The Second Chance Resale.

Activities continue Sunday, March 30, with the Sappy Days Market, pancake breakfast, bag toss tournament and bingo.

The Goodman-Armstrong Creek Lions Club will sponsor a free pancake and porkie breakfast featuring local maple syrup from 8 a.m. to noon at the Armstrong Creek Community Center.

The Sappy Days Market will also be set up at that time for guests to purchase local products.

The cornhole tournament will follow the breakfast at the community center. Registration begins at noon with an entry fee of $25 per team. Prizes were provided by Millan’s Custom Butchering.

All proceeds will be donated to the local fire department and rescue squad.

Bingo will begin at 1 p.m. at the 8-Hi Club in Goodman. A portion of the card sales will be donated to the departments.

Stankevich, who was part of the local economic development committee, explained Sappy Days was created after she presented the idea as a way to bring the community together and feature its unique products and services.

After receiving a lot of interest, she began organizing the first event. “The first year there were five locations to visit, now there are nine operations,” she said, adding, “Next year we are hoping to have 12 different maple operations to visit.”

The event is free; however, event organizers accept donations and the money raised goes to the Goodman-Armstrong Creek Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

“This is a family-friendly event that is fun for all ages,” Stankevich said. “It’s an opportunity to see what our local communities have to offer.”

For a map of sugar camps, a list of participating businesses or more information, go to the “Sappy Days: A Wisconsin Maple Syrup Experience” Facebook page.