By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

One of the sweetest events of the calendar year is about to begin as the 61st annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival kicks off March 29.

The festival continues March 30 and then picks up April 2-6 at various locations throughout Meyersdale.

Much of the activity is located at Maple Festival Park, where there will be maple-sugar demonstrations, arts and crafts, entertainment, food vendors and a children’s corner.

This complex is the heart of the festival and is located on scenic Meyers Avenue.

It features the Historic Meyers Homestead, an Antique Doctor’s Office, Cobbler’s Shop, Country Store and its own sugar camp.

Frank “Bud” Edmunds, president of Meyersdale Borough Council, said the event has put the community on the map and has earned it the name “Maple City.”

“Depending on the weather, we can count on the town filling up each day of the festival because there is so much to do and see,” Edmunds said.

“Once people enjoy a sumptuous meal of pancakes and sausage at the Lions Club pancake house in the community center, they are within easy walking distance of Festival Park and all the attractions there.”

Edmunds said the pancake meals are so popular that the syrup used during the festival is measured in barrels, not gallons.

“We feature the best maple syrup in the world and it’s made right here in Somerset County,” he said.

While at Festival Park, visitors can browse the craft vendors and enjoy live entertainment on the outside stage.

Plenty of food and fun are also located throughout the park.

Guests are able to learn how to tap a tree, boil sap into syrup, make sugar cakes, twirl spotza and observe a sugar off.

Spotza is made by boiling maple syrup down to the soft ball stage and pouring it over crushed ice, which forms a soft, clear taffy that is most tasty when eaten immediately.

Russell Strong of Meyersdale, the Lions Club secretary, said in his 28 years of volunteering at the pancake meal, he has seen people return year after year.

“It’s what draws them here,” Strong said.

“The meal is $7 and the mouthwatering pancakes are topped off with genuine Somerset County maple syrup, which is the backbone of this festival.”

Admission to Festival Park is $4 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and younger.

Admission to the “Legend of the Magic Water” also requires a fee.

Parking is available throughout Meyersdale.

Strong said that each year festival visitors are attracted by the annual quilt show on display at Meyersdale fire hall, next to the pancake house. The show is open to the public throughout the festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The first quilt show in 1996 displayed 35 items and has grown to a point where displays number more than 600.

Susie Decker of Meyersdale, treasurer of the festival committee, said the most popular attractions are Festival Park, the Grand Featured Parade and the Lions’ pancake meals.

The parade will get under way at 3 p.m. April 5.

It will feature marching bands, floats, twirling groups, rescue trucks and lots of horses.

Live entertainment ranging from bluegrass and gospel to folk and country clogg’in will be featured throughout the festival on the outdoor stage in the park.

Decker said another popular activity is the arts and crafts exhibit, which is under one roof in the park.

“Craftsmen seem to be going back to country and will offer items such as cornhusk dolls, soap and jewelry,” Decker said.

“It seems that what’s old is new again.”

Other items include woodworking, crocheting, ceramics, quilling, tole painting, chair caning, leather crafts, wheat weaving, spinning, tatting, broom making, baskets, keelers, oil paintings, herbs, spices, teas, dried flowers, candy making and pottery.

Strong said there always is a good turnout to see “Legend of the Magic Water,” a production with a cast of more than 120 people, from ages 3 to 80.

“Legend of the Magic Water” tells the story of the discovery of maple syrup and the history of Meyersdale through song, dance and narration.

The auto shows are another crowd favorite.

The Street Rod program will be held on March 30, followed by an antique and classic car show April 6.

A classic car cruise will be held April 4 and anyone owning a vintage auto is invited to cruise the borough’s streets.



Sweet event

What: 61st annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival.

When: March 29-30 and April 2-6.

Where: Maple Festival Park, Meyersdale.

Tickets: At gate.

Cost: $4 adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free admission for children 5 and younger.