By RICK MILLER
CattCoNews&Photos
FRANKLINVILLE — This weekend’s 60th annual Western New York Maple Festival kicks off Thursday with the Maple King and Queen Contest at the Franklinville High School auditorium.
There are three candidates for queen — Kianna Kellner, Gabriela Chesebro and Olivia Pockey and two king candidates — Hunter Osgood and Luke Spande.
The competition kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium.
Sponsors say expect about 130 vendors — including many maple products — and don’t forget the all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast inside the elementary school both days and the chicken barbecue starting at noon on Sunday at the fire hall.
Park Square will enjoy an expanded role in the Maple Festival this year. Starting Friday, wineries, breweries, distilleries and farm market vendors will set up on the Square.
Live entertainment at the Square includes Searchlights and Satellites and Travis Happoldt Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. respectively, and Rog Pettengill from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Hiuntz of Thunder from 1-3:30 p.m.
Also on Friday, Firehouse Fine Wines will host wine tasting from 4-7 p.m.
On Saturday, the Maple Festival parade will begin at 11 a.m. from Elm Street on Park Square along North Main Street to the Fire Department.
The schedule for the 2024 WNY Maple Festival follows:
Saturday
- 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. All-U-Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast- Elementary Cafeteria.
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Connect Life Blood Drive Elementary Grounds, Connect Life Bus
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Petting Zoo High School Agricultural Facility, South Academy Street.
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Blount Library Book Sale at 5 N. Main St.
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Maple Products Sales & “Sugaring” Demonstrations, Business Exhibits & Services, Craft Show & Sale, Kiddie Rides, Basket Raffle at Franklinville Fire Department.
- Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, & Farm Market Vendors
- Park Square. Ischua Valley Historical Society – 3 Park Square open with items for sale/mystery books.
- 11 a.m. Maple Festival Parade – Elm Street, Park Square, North Main Street to the Fire Department.
Sunday
- 1 – 3 p.m. Miner’s Cabin open for tours Sunday.
- 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. All-U-Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast – Elementary Cafeteria.
- 9 a.m. SAPS Color Fun Run – High School Gym (8 a.m. registration).
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Car & Auto Show across from Fire Hall (rain date – Memorial Day weekend).
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Petting Zoo High School Agricultural Facility
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Maple Products Sales & “Sugaring” Demonstrations, Business Exhibits & Services, Craft Show & Sale, Kiddie Rides, Basket Raffle at Franklinville Fire Department – drawing at 4 p.m.
- Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, & Farm Market Vendors- Park Square
- Ischua Valley Historical Society – 3 Park Square ,open with items for sale/mystery books.
- Noon until gone Chicken BBQ – Fire Hall, North. Main Street.
For an interactive map of the WNY Maple Festival grounds go to www.wnymaplefestival.com.
WNY Maple Festival photo
Thousands of visitors are expected at the 60th annual Western New York Maple Festival in Franklinville thids weekend.
