Maple Leaf Festival

View on map
Nature & SeasonBaldwin City
DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsThe festival's founding story is unusually
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City

The Maple Leaf Festival is a two-day fall community festival held every October in Baldwin City, Kansas, running since 1958. Inspired by Baker University biology professor Dr. Ivan Boyd and Dr. Charles Doudna, the festival centers on the town's maple trees and features a parade, quilt show, and extensive craft and vendor booths.

Baldwin City, Kansas, home to Baker University, has held the Maple Leaf Festival every October since 1958, making it one of the longer continuously running community festivals in the state.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's founding story is unusually academic for a small-town harvest celebration: it began as an initiative connected to Baker University biology professor Dr

02

The mystery stays covered

Ivan Boyd, whose interest in the region's maple trees and their fall color helped inspire the celebration that bears their name, giving the festival a genuine botanical and educational origin rather than a purely commercial or civic promotional one

03

The city starts moving

Approaching its seventh decade, the festival has become deeply embedded in Baldwin City's civic calendar, drawing a dedicated Quilt Show alongside its craft and vendor booths, a combination that reflects the festival's long-running community ownership rather than a franchised or corporate event format

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's central traditions are its parade and its Quilt Show

Water and renewal

Living ritual

both long-running fixtures tied to the event's identity as a community-organized fall celebration rooted in Baldwin City's history

The sacred route

Living ritual

The festival's origin connection to Baker University faculty and the region's maple tree population remains part of how the event's founding story is told

The local code

Living ritual

even as the modern festival has grown into a broader craft and vendor celebration

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

Use Baldwin City transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to mid-October fall weather in eastern Kansas, which can range from warm afternoons to chilly mornings and evenings; layers and comfortable walking shoes are...

Safety

Keep distance from unsafe water edges and follow local crowd or weather warnings.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Baldwin City, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.78 N, 95.19 WOpen in Google Maps

Baldwin City, KS

Nearest airportMCI — Kansas City
TransportUse Baldwin City transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Baldwin City, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Baldwin City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Baldwin City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to mid-October fall weather in eastern Kansas, which can range from warm afternoons to chilly mornings and evenings; layers and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for a full day at the festival.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Maple Leaf Festival?

Maple Leaf Festival is listed for October · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Maple Leaf Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Baldwin City, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Baldwin City, KS

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmapleleaffestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October
Source statusOfficial source linked
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