Always Local. Always Free. Olean Local News

Always Local. Always Free.

   CONTACT US: Oleanstar@gmail.com

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) An honor guard from Franklinville American Legion Post 0526 leads the WNY Maple Festival Parade Saturday morning. The parade is always billed as "rain or shine," and didn't disappoint despite steady rain. Drier weather is forecast for Sunday.

62nd annual WNY Maple Festival gets underway on a soggy Saturday; Sunday weather looking drier

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

FRANKLINVILLE — The 62nd annual WNY Maple Festival Parade got underway Saturday morning under rainy skies. 

The rain didn’t put a damper on the spirits of marchers or people who watched from the sidewalks on both sides of Main Street. There were plenty of umbrellas carried by marchers and those watching the parade.

For those planning on attending the maple festival at the elementary and high schools, as well as Park Square and the firemen’s chicken barbecue on Sunday, weather is expected to be warm and dry.

On Saturday,  the parade kicked off marching up South Main Street at 11 a.m., led by a Franklinville Police car and an honor guard from Franklinville American Legion Post 0526.

Hundreds of Franklinville Little Leaguers and their parents marched after the Welcome to the WNY Maple Festival banner and Franklinville fire trucks led by members of the Franklinville Junior Fire Department — also carrying a banner. The Little League marchers carried a wave of umbrellas. 

Maple King Eli Shenk and Maple Queen Maria Jerdan and their court rode in golf carts toward the end of the parade.

Area fire department equipment brought up the end of the parade.

Indoor exhibits and outdoor exhibits under tents continued despite the rain.

By far the most popular attraction was the All U Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in the elementary cafeteria.  Volunteers were making pancakes as quick as people could eat them.The maple syrup is from the festival’s official supplier, Wright Farms in Franklinville.

On Sunday, registration for the SAPS Color Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. in the high school gym. The run begins at 9 o’clock.

There will also be a Community Worship Service at 10 a.m. Sunday in a tent in front of the elementary school.

The Franklinville Fire Department will have a chicken barbecue from noon until gone at the firehall.

Also, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be maple products sales and demonstrations, a photo booth, business exhibits and services including wineries, breweries, distilleries, farm market, vendors and craft show. There’s also a basket raffle at the fire hall.

A free character meet and greet (Marshall, Care Bear and Stitch) from noon to 4 p.m. is set at Park Square.

Family-friendly amusement rides by American Amusement Rentals will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Recommended For You