A Real Sweet Tradition
When asked why he believes the Maple Syrup Festival has stuck around for more than 40 years, James Klein smiles widely and answers, “The sugar is a huge reason.”
He’s right. The pancake breakfast featuring grilled sausages and real maple syrup handcrafted from the trees at Indian Creek Nature Center is the main attraction — but Klein, President and CEO at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust (CRBT), knows it’s about more than the sugar.
“There’s just a vibe of community, of happiness, of preserving nature for the long term,” says Klein, “The food is great, and the sugar makes you feel good, but it’s really just a great representation of our community.”
Now in its 43rd year, the Maple Syrup Festival has become a tradition that brings generations of families together for pancakes covered in sweet maple syrup and for maple syruping demonstrations where guests can get hands-on trying syruping techniques themselves.
“I had the opportunity to tap a tree a few years ago.” Klein says, “I can tell you I love syrup, but before that, I really didn’t understand the process. It was a very cool and unique experience.”
Inspired by shared community values (with an assist from the sugar), CRBT has consistently been a lead sponsor of the entire maple syruping season, which includes public maple syruping programs throughout March and the Maple Syrup Festival.
“The Maple Syrup Festival is one of the premier events in this area, and we’re proud to be a long-time partner,” says Klein.
A Tradition Built on Community
CRBT, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, has established its own tradition — creating win-wins in the community.
Klein shares that it started “In the late 90’s, when after a series of bank mergers, there was a strong need in the Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities for a strong community bank. Four veteran bankers believed this community deserved a locally-focused bank committed to its employees, clients, and community. So, they started CRBT.”
After starting with only 17 employees in 2001, they grew by focusing on that original calling to be a strong community bank. “Community is a big part of who we are,” says Klein. And he has the receipts to back it up. (He is a banker after all.)
During their 25 years as a community bank, CRBT has, in total, given more than $10 million to local community nonprofits. And they spread the love, too.
CRBT has worked with well over 100 nonprofits in 2025 alone. Their employees are dedicated volunteers, spending over 8000 hours volunteering in the community in 2025, including sharing their financial expertise with nonprofits by serving on board committees.
“It feels good to help people, right? That’s always been a part of our culture at CRBT. It’s a win-win. We continue that circle going, and it makes our entire community better.”
Creating Win-Wins at Indian Creek Nature Center
Naturally, CRBT’s community support extends to Indian Creek Nature Center because of the impact the Nature Center has on the community that CRBT is so dedicated to.
Klein feels that “you cannot go to another community in the United States and find Indian Creek Nature Center. It is so unique. It’s so different.
“We want this to be a great community for our friends and family to enjoy,” and supporting the Nature Center supports that goal. Klein says, “The programming they offer, the schooling they provide, the awareness they build — it’s really critical to our community. We’re proud to be a part of it.”
“It’s about true partnerships where everybody can win. Indian Creek is a great partner, and we create win-wins.” The Maple Syrup Festival, with its deep community roots, connections to nature, and delicious pancake breakfast, might be the ultimate win-win-win.
“The Maple Syrup Festival is one of those key components of the Cedar Rapids area,” says Klein, “You can see at the event the social connections that are made, the awareness, the people enjoying the outdoors. It’s really a phenomenally unique amenity for our area.”
“It’s one of those well-done, feel-good events in our community where people walk away with more knowledge, sugar in their system, and maybe a new friendship they made at the event,” says Klein, “and we promise it’s not just the sugar talking.”