Experience WNY Maple Festival
Experience WNY Maple Festival
Annual Event is Back for Two Days of Maple Bliss in Franklinville, NY
Photos / Ashely Schumaker, Festival Chair
One of the longest-running festivals in the area, Franklinville’s annual Western New York Maple Festival is taking place during the weekend of April 29-30th and this year’s event is bigger than ever! In 1963, the Franklinville Jaycees (junior chamber of commerce) founded the festival to celebrate the many maple syrup producers in the region, while highlighting all that Franklinville has to offer. “This year, what we’ve done is expanded the festival into the Park Square Historic District, because we wanted to make it walkable, highlight our downtown, and introduce people to new businesses and businesses owners,” said Ashley Schumaker, festival chair. “There really is something for all ages to enjoy all weekend!”
2023 marks the 59th year of the festival, as the festival was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid-19. Despite the brief hiatus, the festival is just as popular as ever. In fact, this year, vendor registration has exceeded Schumaker’s expectations.
“Last year, we had 81 vendors, and so far, we have 158 now registered,” she said. This number does not include those maple syrup producers who have their own designated maple tent, which is spearheaded by Wright Farms. “The tent usually features six or more maple producers whose products are sold unlabeled to highlight everyone equally.” Non-maple vendor booths include crafts, paintings, jewelry, hand-made toys, and so much more. “There are some really unique items this year,” said Schumaker. “Our vendors come from all over the area. Most are from an hour to an hour and a half away, but we also have vendors who travel from Rochester and northern Pennsylvania.”
In addition to an expanded festival area, other new offerings for 2023 include participation of local wineries, breweries, and distilleries. “We’re starting small with just a few, but hoping to grow this in the future,” Schumaker noted. Other downtown highlights for 2023 will include mechanical bull rides, food vendors, and Sugar Goat Baking and Grazing Co., who will also be bringing their goats!
It’s not the WNY Maple Festival without the “All-U-Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast,” which will be in the elementary school cafeteria from 7:30am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. “We’ll be serving buckwheat pancakes and sausage links, and Wright Farms is providing the syrup. We’ve made some changes to ensure even higher quality and consistency,” said Schumaker, who also owns her own restaurant. “Last year, I took over the chair position, but this is my first full year in this role,” she explained. “I’ve volunteered for many years, and even when I wasn’t officially part of the committee, I’ve always made a point to be involved in some way.” Even as a high school student, Schumaker enjoyed being part of the festival, as she was crowned Maple Queen in 2008.
Indeed, the festival brings the entire community together, as the school, which continues to host the Maple King and Queen contest, the Franklinville Historical Society, and the Franklinville Fire Department are also heavily involved. In front of the school, carnival rides will run throughout the weekend. On Saturday at 11am, the WNY Maple Festival parade will showcase local businesses, community organizations, volunteer fire departments, the high school band, school groups and of course, the Maple King and Queen. This year’s parade will feature a float contest with separate divisions for school groups and local non-school businesses and organizations with monetary prizes and trophies!
Both the historical society and fire department host their own basket raffles throughout the weekend. Schumaker is pleased to announce the return of the fire department’s car show on Sunday, which is also the day of their annual chicken barbecue (noon until sold out at the fire hall on Main Street). To view the full schedule of events, visit www.wnymaplefestival.com and follow Franklinville’s Annual Western New York Maple Festival on Facebook.
“This community is amazing,” Schumaker noted. “It’s incredible how many people and organizations come together to make this weekend happen.” There is still time to get involved! For those wishing to volunteer or donate basket raffle items, Schumaker recommends emailing wnymaplefestival@gmail.com or signing up online at www.wnymaplefestival.com/volunteer/.