AI-assisted summaryThe 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival will be held April 5, 6 and 9-13, with some changes to the schedule.New this year, children can enter their collectibles to be judged at two vehicle shows.MEYERSDALE — Visitors will find something new mixed in with some old-time favorites when they come to the 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival, April 5, 6 and 9-13. One notable change this year is the weekday switch from daytime to evening hours to allow those who work during the day to enjoy the festival activities. Wednesday and Thursday, the festival will open at noon and close at 7 p.m. As a highlight during this time, there will be bingo in the park from 4-6 p.m. both days. On Thursday, the Meyersdale Lions Club will open from 5-7 p.m. for the community pancake dinner, sponsored by BDH/Konhaus and Somerset Trust Co. At 7 p.m. is the community worship service. More: Maple sugar camps in and around Somerset County host visitors to Taste & TourMore: Kiran Wiedner selected Queen Maple LXVIII Saturday in scholarship pageantAnother time change is the horse-pulling contest, which will be at 1 p.m. April 5, the first Saturday, at the Somerset County Fairgrounds, 7842 Mount Davis Road, Meyersdale. There will be a lightweight for teams less than 3,500 pounds and a heavyweight class for teams more than 3,500 pounds. New premiums for each class are: first, $300, second, $275, third, $250, fourth, $225, and fifth, $200. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.Children’s collectibles Children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade can enter collectibles to be judged at the two vehicle shows, the Truck, Motorcycle, Side by Side and ATV Show and the Antique, Classic and Street Rod Car Show from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Main and Center streets both Sundays. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Gazebo Uptown Park in Meyersdale. Any assortment of items the children collect will be eligible. There is no entry fee, it's just for fun, said Terrie Werner, who, with her husband, Paul, direct the shows. The participants need to bring their own tables and tablecloths to set up in the car show area. They are responsible for watching their own table, Werner said. Maple Queen Kiran Wiedner and her court will judge the entries and have a trophy at each show. The sit & sip garden in Festival Park will be held the first weekend only. The Tractor & Farm Machinery Show is only on the second weekend. Volunteer help Any festival can't be successful without the help of volunteers, and the maple festival is no exception. Many of the activities and events during the festival have links for volunteers to sign up in any of these areas: tree tapping demonstration, antique doctor's office, ticket booth, country store, Maple Manor, children’s activities, quilt show and Sit & Sip. "Volunteers are what keeps the festival going, has kept it going for 78 years. We need volunteers to help get us into the future," said Robin Deal, president of the board of directors. To sign up to volunteer, call or email the festival office at 814-634-0213 or pamaple@verizon.net; stop by the festival office to sign up for a location; or click on any of the links https://www.pamaplefestival.com/volunteer-opportunities.html to sign up online. The maple festival also features Lions Club pancakes and sausage dinners, a quilt show, Maple Race 8K/5K Run/Walk and Grand Feature Parade. More: Somerset girl selected maple queen in scholarship pageant held SaturdayQuilt Show The quilt show and boutique are at the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, 202 Main St., Meyersdale. The show features displays of hand- and machine-quilted, traditional and modern quilts, wall hangings, home decorating, accessories and more. Items are judged, and premium prizes are awarded to the first-, second- and third-place items for each class. Maple Race Run / Walk The 5K Run or Walk and the 8K (5-mile) run are both on the Great Allegheny Passage. Register at the Meyersdale Train Station, 527 Main St. There are indoor restrooms, refreshments, aid stations and shelter available. Awards will be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in each event, in the following age groups: 19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Inside Festival Park complex The Sugar Shack and Sugar Camp demonstrations across from Historic Meyers Manor in Festival Park on Meyers Avenue show how maple producers boil off the water and turn it into syrup and other maple products. One of those products is spotza, from the Pennsylvania Dutch word for "spot on the snow." It is made by boiling maple syrup down to the soft ball stage and then pouring it over crushed ice. This forms soft, clear taffy. The Kids' Corner, between Maple Manor and the Festival Park stage, is available to young visitors to Festival Park. Children can make crafts, have their faces painted, or find several other fun activities. The fair exhibits in the craft building bring a variety of crafts, gardening, toys, photographs and canned goods and wine to the festival activities. "We have lots of people who are talented in the arts, or have a green thumb," Deal said. "We encourage kids to participate. Lots of kids enjoy the arts and it makes for well-rounded people." More: Kiran Wiedner named 78th maple queen in scholarship pageant SaturdayLive entertainment Entertainment is featured throughout the festival on the outdoor stage in Festival Park. “As the director in charge of the entertainment on stage, I try to get all local talent, to support the local people who entertain," Deal said. Included in the schedule to perform during the festival are: April 5 - 12-4 p.m. US3; April 6 - 12-4 p.m. Chris Blaney Band; April 9 - 4-6 p.m. Bingo, 6-7 p.m. Screamin' Blonde; April 10 - 4-6 p.m. Bingo, 6-7 p.m. J.D. & Cindy Ross; April 11 - 11-11:45 a.m. Meyersdale Area High School Jazz Band, 12:30 p.m. Maple Princess talent performances, 1:45 p.m. Michael Merrill color guard/dance/baton performances; April 12 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ben Benson, 1:30-3 p.m. J.D. & Cindy Ross, 3:30-5 p.m. Studio 7 School of Dance; April 13 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fender Ridge, 1:30-3 p.m. Screamin' Blonde.

Evening times, new activities all highlight 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival

AI-assisted summaryThe 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival will be held April 5, 6 and 9-13, with some changes to the schedule.New this year, children can enter their collectibles to be judged at two vehicle shows.MEYERSDALE — Visitors will find something new mixed in with some old-time favorites when they come to the 78th annual Pennsylvania […]

AI-assisted summaryThe 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival will be held April 5, 6 and 9-13, with some changes to the schedule.New this year, children can enter their collectibles to be judged at two vehicle shows.MEYERSDALE — Visitors will find something new mixed in with some old-time favorites when they come to the 78th annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival, April 5, 6 and 9-13.

Included in the schedule to perform during the festival are:

The quilt show hosted by the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department during the Pa. Maple Festival has hundreds of classic displays. Here, Grace Oakes, director of the show, and Maddy Faner look at some quilts during a previous show.

The Kids’ Corner, between Maple Manor and the Festival Park stage, is available to young visitors to Festival Park. Children can make crafts, have their faces painted, or find several other fun activities. The fair exhibits in the craft building bring a variety of crafts, gardening, toys, photographs and canned goods and wine to the festival activities.

Children’s collectibles Children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade can enter collectibles to be judged at the two vehicle shows, the Truck, Motorcycle, Side by Side and ATV Show and the Antique, Classic and Street Rod Car Show from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Main and Center streets both Sundays. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the Gazebo Uptown Park in Meyersdale. Any assortment of items the children collect will be eligible. There is no entry fee, it’s just for fun, said Terrie Werner, who, with her husband, Paul, direct the shows. The participants need to bring their own tables and tablecloths to set up in the car show area. They are responsible for watching their own table, Werner said. Maple Queen Kiran Wiedner and her court will judge the entries and have a trophy at each show. The sit & sip garden in Festival Park will be held the first weekend only. The Tractor & Farm Machinery Show is only on the second weekend. Volunteer help Any festival can’t be successful without the help of volunteers, and the maple festival is no exception. Many of the activities and events during the festival have links for volunteers to sign up in any of these areas: tree tapping demonstration, antique doctor’s office, ticket booth, country store, Maple Manor, children’s activities, quilt show and Sit & Sip. “Volunteers are what keeps the festival going, has kept it going for 78 years. We need volunteers to help get us into the future,” said Robin Deal, president of the board of directors. To sign up to volunteer, call or email the festival office at 814-634-0213 or pamaple@verizon.net; stop by the festival office to sign up for a location; or click on any of the links https://www.pamaplefestival.com/volunteer-opportunities.html to sign up online.

April 5 – 12-4 p.m. US3; April 6 – 12-4 p.m. Chris Blaney Band; April 9 – 4-6 p.m. Bingo, 6-7 p.m. Screamin’ Blonde; April 10 – 4-6 p.m. Bingo, 6-7 p.m. J.D. & Cindy Ross; April 11 – 11-11:45 a.m. Meyersdale Area High School Jazz Band, 12:30 p.m. Maple Princess talent performances, 1:45 p.m. Michael Merrill color guard/dance/baton performances; April 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ben Benson, 1:30-3 p.m. J.D. & Cindy Ross, 3:30-5 p.m. Studio 7 School of Dance; April 13 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fender Ridge, 1:30-3 p.m. Screamin’ Blonde.

Quilt Show

Entertainment is featured throughout the festival on the outdoor stage in Festival Park.

Maple Race Run / Walk

The quilt show and boutique are at the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, 202 Main St., Meyersdale. The show features displays of hand- and machine-quilted, traditional and modern quilts, wall hangings, home decorating, accessories and more. Items are judged, and premium prizes are awarded to the first-, second- and third-place items for each class.

Inside Festival Park complex

Another time change is the horse-pulling contest, which will be at 1 p.m. April 5, the first Saturday, at the Somerset County Fairgrounds, 7842 Mount Davis Road, Meyersdale. There will be a lightweight for teams less than 3,500 pounds and a heavyweight class for teams more than 3,500 pounds. New premiums for each class are: first, 0, second, 5, third, 0, fourth, 5, and fifth, 0. The Sugar Shack and Sugar Camp demonstrations across from Historic Meyers Manor in Festival Park on Meyers Avenue show how maple producers boil off the water and turn it into syrup and other maple products. One of those products is spotza, from the Pennsylvania Dutch word for “spot on the snow.” It is made by boiling maple syrup down to the soft ball stage and then pouring it over crushed ice. This forms soft, clear taffy. The 5K Run or Walk and the 8K (5-mile) run are both on the Great Allegheny Passage. Register at the Meyersdale Train Station, 527 Main St. There are indoor restrooms, refreshments, aid stations and shelter available. Awards will be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in each event, in the following age groups: 19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Live entertainment

“We have lots of people who are talented in the arts, or have a green thumb,” Deal said. “We encourage kids to participate. Lots of kids enjoy the arts and it makes for well-rounded people.” One notable change this year is the weekday switch from daytime to evening hours to allow those who work during the day to enjoy the festival activities. Wednesday and Thursday, the festival will open at noon and close at 7 p.m. As a highlight during this time, there will be bingo in the park from 4-6 p.m. both days. On Thursday, the Meyersdale Lions Club will open from 5-7 p.m. for the community pancake dinner, sponsored by BDH/Konhaus and Somerset Trust Co. At 7 p.m. is the community worship service. “As the director in charge of the entertainment on stage, I try to get all local talent, to support the local people who entertain,” Deal said. The maple festival also features Lions Club pancakes and sausage dinners, a quilt show, Maple Race 8K/5K Run/Walk and Grand Feature Parade.