By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
FRANKLINVILLE — The 62nd annual Western New York Maple Festival gets underway Friday with the selection of a king and queen to preside over the weekend events.
The Maple King and Queen Contest starts at 7 p.m. Friday in the Franklinville High School auditorium. The candidates are: Maria Jerdan, Sierra Lovell, Eli Shenk, Peyton Mest and Anastasia Stevens.
If you’re coming for the All U Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast in the elementary school cafeteria, they’re open from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. There’s live music at the breakfast on Saturday with Cadiz Junction.
The Maple Festival parade kicks off on South Main Street at Franklin at 11 a.m., goes past Park Square and ends at the fire hall.
Also on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., there’s a petting zoo at the high school ag facility, and the Blount Library Book Sale at 5 N. Main St.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on both days 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 on both days.
There’s also a free character meet and greet (Marshall, Care Bear and Stitch) from noon to 3 p.m. at Park Square
on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Family-friendly amusement rides by American Amusement Rentals will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Registration for Sunday’s 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.
