Shepherd, the “Sweetest Little Town Anywhere Around,” is gearing up for its 53rd Maple Syrup Festival on April 29, 30 and May 1.

The three-day, family-oriented festival includes the famous, all you can eat pancake, maple syrup, and sausage meals served at the high school on Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. RV parking throughout the village only costs $5 for the whole weekend!

The festival is unique because volunteers of all ages handle all of the activities. Proceeds from the festival provide recreational activities for youngsters in the Shepherd School District, maintain a community park, and further develop property north of the village where many of the events will be housed in the future.

Activities this year begin in March with tree tapping and syrup making. The parade marshals and 2011 Maple Syrup Queen and her court will reign over the weekend activities and represent the village at various social events and parades throughout the year.

Sausage-making will occur in April when more than 6,000 pounds of sausage are processed to feed the weekend guests.

Festival activities include indoor and outdoor arts and craft shows, 5K run, amusement rides, train rides, children’s village, steam engine display, antique tractor show, tractor pulls, classic car display, chainsaw carver, band concert and a senior citizen dance. Featured also are parades on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, and everyone is invited to visit the Sugar Bush building, Train Depot; and area Historical, and Little School House museums.