New York Maple Weekends may have passed by but the maple celebration continues April 30- May 1 as part of the 12th annual Hadley Maple in April Festival. With live music and local food, Maple in April has people lining the streets of Hadley.

According to Festival Committee Chairperson Susan Wilder one reason their festival is such a success is that it takes place after the rush of maple sugaring season. When the sap first starts to run, most producers are busy boiling so holding the event later in the season allows area maple producers to participate with visitors and locals.

“We think of this as the first festival of the season,” says Wilder. “People come out of hibernation or are back in the area and look forward to catching up. This event is always a good place to meet and have a nice breakfast. We have breakfast scheduled for both mornings with french toast one day and pancakes on the other, as well as real maple syrup and Oscar’s Smokehouse Sausage from Warrensburg.”

Hadley’s Maple in April takes place the last weekend in April with a weekend full of activities and events for all ages. The festival opens with the maple breakfast each day at 8 am with local vendors lining Rockwell Street by 9 am.

“We have an antique car show as well as over 50 local craft and food vendors,” says Wilder. “Children will enjoy the bounce house, petting zoo and pony rides. This year we are offering the Safe Child Identification program as well as a self defense demonstration with Judo expert Nick Kosser.”

Another first will be a photo contest inspired by the nearby Stony Creek Library. The show’s theme will introduce people to the area through local landmarks and landscapes. Wilson and her committee are asking all photographers to submit one framed photograph that has been taken within the last two years and with a 30-mile radius of the Hadley/Luzerne train station. The deadline for entry is April 23rd.

“We are asking the public to vote and the top three winners will be displayed at the Upper River Café, Molly’s Mason Jar and the Waterhouse Restaurant,” says Wilson.

Though new activities have been added, all the favorite activities will be back, especially the maple flavored products such as maple cotton candy and maple wings. Enjoy!

Photo provided.