The Maple Leaf Festival activities are held in several locations around town, in the downtown area near Eighth and High Streets, on the adjacent campus of Baker University, at the historic Midland Railway train depot a few blocks west, and along the historic Santa Fe Trail. Homemade food by Baldwin City civic organizations, continuous live musical entertainment under the big tent, and free admission help make this dawn-to-dusk event memorable.

The Maple Leaf Melodrama is part of the event every year. Produced by the Baldwin City Theater, it includes performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday (and has done so for the past 10 years). The cast is comprised entirely of Baldwin City and area performers. The Melodrama functions as an important fund-raiser for CLEAR, the Baldwin City-based non-profit organization which promotes performing arts throughout the year -- including the annual Baldwin City Dinner Theater and the Summer Musicals.

Thank you Sharole Prahl for the photographs used here - click on any to see it larger.

Saturday morning at 10:45 am is the Children's Parade, followed at 11 am by the big parade, with cash prizes for the top three floats. B.P,W. Arts & Crafts displays are open Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 9-5 at 8th & Chapel, indoor booths at Stacy's Dance Studio corner of 8th and High St and in the Fire Station on High Street, and all day both days the outdoor booths, souvenirs, food, music and special events are never far away.

The Kids' Zone arts and crafts activities are located just behind the Methodist Church, while open air trams provide free transport to older or disabled guests. Baker University 10K Run (call 785-594-8316), Pole Vault competition, Living History Demonstrations at Old Castle Museum (Sat 9-5, Sunday 10-4), Quilt Show (the oldest in Kansas) (7th & Chapel, Baldwin Elementary School, Sat 9-5 and Sunday 10-5), and a Quilter's meeting (8 am Sunday, call Sharon Vesecky at Quilter's Paradise, 594-3477) are scheduled. Free bus tours with Rotarian tourmasters describing the sights and history of the Santa Fe Trail and Baker University (the oldest university west of the Mississippi River) Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00pm. The Volkswalk is on Sunday and Carnival attractions are featured Saturday and Sunday.

Continuous free live music includes Country & Western, Bluegrass and Gospel Sunday morning, with plenty of seating under the big tent. Carnival Friday through Sunday and hourly train excursions on the vintage equipment of the Midland Railway 10-5 Saturday & Sunday help round out the experience.