How sweet it is | There's plenty to see, do during Maple festival » Events

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March 18, 2010

How sweet it is | There's plenty to see, do during Maple festival

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Thu Mar 18, 2010, 07:49 AM EDT

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

The sweetness of small-town Somerset County will come alive during the 63rd annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival, which will be held Saturday and Sunday and March 24-28 at various sites in Meyersdale.

Activities are centered around Maple Festival Park on Meyers Avenue, where the Historic Meyers Homestead and an antique doctor’s office, cobbler’s shop and country store are located.

At the festival’s sugar camp, guests can learn how to tap a tree, boil sap into syrup, observe a sugar off, make sugar cakes and twirl spotza, a clear taffy formed when maple syrup boiled down to the soft ball stage is poured over crushed ice.

McKeesport resident and French and Indian War re-enactor Todd Johnson will show visitors how Native Americans lived in the mid-1700s and the role they played in the French and Indian War by portraying Ghost in the Head, a Heron Indian who lived during that time.

Johnson will set up camp at Festival Park on Saturday and Sunday and March 26-28.

A big draw to the festival is the Lions’ Club pancake house at the community center, where made-from-scratch pancakes are topped with Somerset County maple syrup and served with sausage.

The Lions plan to use the proceeds toward the improvement of the Meyersdale Community Center and the continuing management of scenic Maple Valley Park.

The annual quilt show, which is held at the Meyersdale Fire Hall next to the Lions’ pancake house, is open to the public throughout the festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quilts are judged and cash awards and ribbons are handed out for the the top quilts before the festival starts, then all quilts are on display with many of them for sale.

Chances to win a homemade quilt will be available for $1 each or six for $5. Proceeds will benefit the Maple festival.

Arts and crafts displays located across from Meyers Manor will include woodworking, crocheting, ceramics, quilling, tole painting, chair caning, leather crafts, wheat weaving, spinning, tatting, broom making, baskets, oil paintings, herbs, spices, teas, dried flowers, candy making, pottery and dolls.

Some of the artists and crafters will work on their creations during the festival.

“The Legend of the Magic Water,” a historical pageant which tells the story of the discovery of maple syrup and the history of Meyersdale through song, dance and narration, will be presented throughout the festival at Meyersdale Area High School. There is an admission charge.

Marching bands, drum and bugle corps, drill teams and floats will participate in a grand feature parade to be held at 3 p.m. March 27.

Live entertainment on the outdoor stage will include a variety of dance groups and performances by the Maple Princesses as well as Celtic, gospel and jazz music.

A date auction for the festival’s eligible bachelors and bachelorettes will be held at 5:15 p.m. March 26, and will benefit the Somerset County Humane Society.

Winners can take their dates to a dance sponsored by the Meyersdale American Legion, which will be held at 9 p.m. March 26 at the legion annex.

Admission to the all-ages event is $3 per person or $5 per couple.

A model railroad exhibit sponsored by the Meyersdale Area Historical Society will be open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and March 26-28 at the newly restored Western Maryland Station on Main Street.

A street rod and classic car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

An antique auto show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28.

Classic car lovers are invited to show off their favorite ride at a classic car cruise, which will be held at 6 p.m. March 26.

Family fun

What: 63rd annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and March 24-28.

Where: Various sites in Meyersdale.

Admission: $4 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and younger will be admitted free.

Information: 634-0213 or www.pamaplefestival.com.

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