Sweet times are coming to Schoharie County when the 47th annual Maple Festival takes place Saturday in Cobleskill.
A parade, music, dancing and of course, maple goodies will all contribute to the fun. Except for the parade, all events will be at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds.
As in past years, the annual crowning of the 2012 Maple Royalty will be the highlight.
This year's Maple Queen, Stephanie Henzler, will crown her successor at 4pm. Running for Maple Queen are Jenevieve Broadwell and Aleshia Davis.
Competing for the title of Maple Princess are Ryanne Broadwell and Jeanne Nicole Giles-Salamida.
All four contestants are students at Cobleskill-Richmondville.
Although the Maple Queen contest will finish the day on a high note, plenty more goes on before the contest. And in addition to the scheduled events, crafts, maple products and maple demonstrations will be presented all day.
The schedule:
•8am, an all-day pancake breakfast by the Cobleskill Fire Department starts at the Fairgrounds.
•8:30-11, acceptance of baked goods for the baking contest at Progressland.
•10, Iona Troupe, accomplished Irish dancers, perform in Progressland.
•11, parade lineup in the Best Western parking lot.
•11, baking contest judging.
•11, Uncle Billy's Balladeers welcome President Lincoln. Civil War re-enactors perform period songs and President Lincoln will give a speech.
•11, Shaker Creek, a band playing Celtic, Appalachian and traditional tunes, will perform in Progressland.
•Noon, parade marches down Main Street to the Fairgrounds.
•Noon, Iona Troupe in the Agriculture Building.
•1, Shaker Creek in Progressland.
•1:30, Arm of the Sea Theater will present its larger-than-life production including visual storytelling and live music in the Agriculture Building.
•2, Iona Troupe in the Agriculture Building.
2:30, Uncle Billy's Baladeers and President Lincoln.
•3, Shaker Creek in Progressland.
•3:30, Presentation of the Maple Royalty Competition candidates in the Agriculture Building.
•4, Crowning of the 2012 Maple Royalty.
The Maple Festival Board of Directors, led by President Jerry Lape, organized the activities. Directors are David Wilson, Vicki Cooper, Marijeanne Broadwell, Frank Brodie, Tammy Cary, Patti Everett, Tim Everett, Earl Van Wormer, Mike Broadwell and Judy Lape.