COUDERSPORT — Beautiful weather graced the 47th annual Potter-Tioga Maple Festival this weekend, which drew record crowds to the picturesque town of Coudersport.
“We’ve had a really great turnout,” said Potter County Visitors’ Association director David Brooks. “The weather is perfect.”
Clear, sunny skies, low humidity and temperatures in the 70s brought out thousands of people from across the area to enjoy vendors, rides, a parade and delicious, high quality, locally-produced maple products.
“We’ve been busy all day,” said Phyllis Hamilton, a member of the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers Association. Phyllis Hamilton and her husband, Larry, manned the cotton candy machines, churning out Maple Cotton Candy throughout the day on Saturday. Larry Hamilton said that Friday was relatively slow, but they “hadn’t had a break all day” on Saturday afternoon. “We can hardly keep up with cotton candy orders,” he said.
The highlight of the event, as always, was the crowning of the Maple Sweethearts for Potter and Tioga counties, and the parade which follows.
Families packed both sides of Main Street for the half-hour long parade, which featured high school marching bands from the Oswayo Valley and Coudersport schools, antique cars from a Classic Car Show at the Coudersport Consistory, vehicles from local emergency responders, and the Maple Sweetheart candidates.
This year’s winner from Potter County was Coudersport Area High School representative Tracy Robinson, daughter of Theresa Robinson of Coudersport. From Tioga County, Mansfield High School student Janie Ghods took the top spot. Ghods is the daughter of Gabe and Joan Ghods of Mansfield.
Also representing local communities were Mercedes Shupe of Austin, Hailee Renee Maxson from Oswayo Valley High School and Mataya McPherson of Galeton.
A number of musical acts performed at the gazebo on the courthouse lawn, including the Coudersport High School Select Chorus and Tom Martin & Friends on Friday night, and Saloon Antics and Next of Kin on Saturday.
The event was centered on the town square surrounding the Potter County Courthouse, but events were held throughout the town of Coudersport to coincide with the event.
The Potter County Historical Society offered guided architectural tours of a number of historical buildings throughout Coudersport, and inside the museum, volunteers were available to explain a number of exhibits. A special display was set up, including many of the traditional implements used in maple production.
A pancake breakfast held at the Coudersport Consistory was also well attended and offered locally-produced real maple syrup for visitors.
Other displays included a working scale-model of a World War II aircraft carrier, chainsaw carving demonstrations, solar viewing, and stargazing instruction.
There were many events for children, including an obstacle course provided by the Boys & Girls Club, carnival rides, face painting and games.
The Potter-Tioga Maple Festival was presented by the Coudersport Chamber of Commerce, the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers’ Association and a number of local businesses and organizations who sponsored the event. The festival is held annually on the first weekend of May in downtown Coudersport.
