For more than five decades, people have been celebrating the local production of maple syrup with a gala in Coudersport.
In fact, the Potter-Tioga Maple Festival is in its 53rd year. The event will be held starting at 9 a.m. both Friday and Saturday in the Potter County Courthouse Square.
The event is sponsored by the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers Association and the Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce.
Visitors are invited to join organizers for a parade, the crowning of this year’s Maple Sweetheart, telescope viewing of the sun with Stash Nawrocki, chainsaw carving by Macks Chain Saw Art, and antique car show and 4-H groups with pony rides and a petting zoo. Other features include crafts, antiques, a bake sale, food booths, music and kiddie and carnival games.
And, of course, the event will be rife with regional maple-makers.
With nearly 40 members, the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers Association represents outdoorsy entrepreneurs from throughout the region. No doubt visitors will find everything maple they can think of and more.
On Friday, there will be a pet parade with registration at 5:30 p.m. and judging and trophy presentation at 6 p.m. Categories are most original pet costume, smallest pet, largest pet and funniest looking pet.
On Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast at the Hotel Crittenden and a breakfast buffet at the Tea Room. Both will last from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration for the antique car show will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, with judging and trophy presentation at noon. Fine art displays will be at the gazebo, and live music at the square.
Ten Maple Sweetheart contestants will make presentations from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Coudersport Movie Theater, to be followed at 2 p.m. with the coronation ceremony.
At 3 p.m. Saturday, the 53rd annual Maple Festival Parade will hit the street.
For more information about the maple producers, visit www.pamaple.com or the Facebook page of the Potter Tioga Maple Producers. The Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.coudersport.org or on Facebook.
