For the past 48 years, local maple producers have participated in the Western New York Maple Festival and this year is no different.
Even though the festival is being held one week later than usual due to a late Easter, the Western New York Maple Festival, more commonly known simply as “Maple Fest,” will be going off just the same.
On Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m., the Maple King and Queen Contest will be held in the Franklinville Elementary School Cafeteria. Those competing to be crowned queen are Cassia Kuhn, Gabrielle Bennett, Nicki Kellogg and Kristin Biela. The contestant for king is Ryan Bigham. The contestants will be judged based on their presentation, talent and on-the-spot questions relating to Maple Festival. This year’s talent will be both vocal and instrumental performances.
The festival starts back up early on Saturday with the popular All-U-Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at the elementary school. The breakfast lasts on both Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. Each day over 2,000 meals are served by over 170 volunteers, including the King and Queen of Maple Fest, according to Mike Brisky, public relations representative. The breakfast costs $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, Brisky said.
Then at 9 a.m. the Maple Festival SAPS Race gets underway. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. behind the Franklinville High School. The races include a 10K, 5K walking course or a 2.5K. People can sign up both the day of or beforehand by contacting Norman Moore at 716-372-8184 or by emailing him at normoore@gmail.com. The fees are: $12.50 for public early registration, $10 for TTS member’s early registration, $15 the day of the race and $50 for school teams, which includes all team members. Early registration must be received by April 28. All the proceeds from the SAPS race go to support the Franklinville High School Student Council.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be an Antique Gas Engine Show at Fireman’s Field, located north of the elementary school. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be many different events happening at the elementary school: maple products sales and sugaring demonstrations, including evaporator and museum artifacts in front of the school; business exhibits and services; and a craft show and sale with over 150 vendors, including arts & crafts, novelties and the favorite, locally made maple syrup and maple products, according to the festival’s Facebook page.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be the Blount Library Book Sale, located at the library on Main Street.
At 11 a.m. floats, music, horses and much more will be filling Main Street during the Maple Festival Parade.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the Historical Society will be hosting an open house at Miner’s Cabin, just off of Park Square. Live entertainment will be held on the school ground, including a performance by The Blues Bros. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The last two events of the day will be round and square dancing and country music in the elementary cafeteria, along with the Maple Festival Turkey Calling Contest at Franklinville Conservation Club on Elm Street. Registration is open from 1-3 p.m.
On Sunday, May 1, the All-U-Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast will take place once again from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. a car and auto show will be held across from the Fire Hall on North Main Street.
Then from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. the Blount Library will be holding the book sale again at the library. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the school fields across from the Fire Hall will be the Creekside Roundup Horse Plowing Demonstrations & Game Show. Also, starting at 10 a.m. the maple products sales and “sugaring” demonstrations, business exhibits and services and craft show and sale will last until 4 p.m. at the elementary school.
Starting at noon until gone, a chicken BBQ will be held at the Fire Hall.
The last two events of Maple Fest will be the historical society open house at Miner’s Cabin and live entertainment on the school grounds, including chainsaw demonstrations.
Brisky said the festival brings in many people even beyond the regular western New Yorkers. “More than 10,000 people come, but closer to 20,000,” he said.
People can find out more information about any of the events, including how to register or get involved in the festival by visiting http://www.franklinvilleny.org/maple-fest.php.
People can also “like” the festival on Facebook by searching for Franklinville's Annual Western New York Maple Festival page.
However, people are reminded to leave their pets at home while enjoying all the festivities the 49th Annual Western New York Maple Festival can offer.
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