Maple Leaf Festival History

Visit the permanent Maple Leaf History exhibit, located inside the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce at 719 High Street.

 
 
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Maple Leaf Festival – A Community Story

The seed of the annual Maple Leaf Festival was wisely and carefully planted in 1958. Strong roots of inspired commitment by Dr. Ivan Boyd, Dr. Charles Doudna, Bill Horn, Leo Smith, C.R. Whitley, Wilson Counts and many others created a solid foundation. For the past 65+ years, countless individuals and organizations have nourished the growth of this annual community event.

The Maple Leaf Festival Committee developed a four-year History Project showcasing highlighted festival themes. From 2019 through 2022 a professional history exhibit was displayed each year in the Lumberyard Arts Center gallery. The accumulated history, including the following themes, is now on permanent display for public viewing in the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, 719 High St.

·      2019 – Founders & Firsts

·      2020 – Bands & Booths

·      2021 – Food & Fun

·      2022 – Community & Commitment

Life was brought to this project through the MLF Committee collaboration with Lumberyard Arts Center, Baker Collins Library, Baldwin City Library, and Watkins Museum with professional consulting from History Curator, Brittany Keegan.

With the commitment and participation of individuals and organizations, Maple Leaf Festival history continues to be created and celebrated each year! If you have been a part of the inner workings or come as a visitor to this annual community event, please stop by the History Exhibit and record your favorite memory of the Maple Leaf Festival in the Memory Book.

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Thanks to Duane Smith for providing this footage of portions of a Maple Leaf Festival from 1962 or 1963. His father, James B. Smith, recorded the video.