Top 6 Reasons You Need to Put the CNY Maple Fest on Your Calendar

We are all familiar with the main events at the CNY Maple Festival; pancake eating contest, maple museum tours, the Maple Queen Parade, wagon rides, talent show, and Sugar Shack demos. As wonderful as that all is, the Maple Fest is full of oft-overlooked gems. Let this Marathon local dish out the insider scoop. Below is a list of 6 not to be missed CNY Maple Fest favorites, April 18-19, 2026.

This will always be number one in my book, year after year! You've never had elephant ears like this before. Piping hot, smothered in fresh maple cream and sprinkled with chopped nuts, I promise you it's worth getting out of bed early for. Confession, you will most likely find me at the stand, snow or shine, at 9am sharp (with some serious bedhead) because a breakfast this good only comes once a year. It's best enjoyed with a piping hot cup of maple coffee, so decadent it doesn't even require cream or sugar.

This delicacy can be found around the back of the old village hall. There, you'll find friendly faces serving this crispy, salty-sweet delight with a big glass of maple lemonade. Located right next to the box cart track, you'll have a perfect view of the races while you munch this delicious maple concoction.

Grab a maple milkshake, or maple popcorn, from the civic center and head over to the old fashion box cart races. Kids spend months working on their box cart creations, and there is no shortage of clever ideas and fun interpretations.

The Maple Mobile Races take place on Saturday and are located behind the NBT Bank. Pick a favorite or cheer them all on. It's a barrel of laughs not to be missed. Want to feel the sensation of the wind whipping through your hair? Head down to the river for an airboat ride. It's sure to get your heart racing! Or, enjoy a leisurely wagon ride through the village.

Twice a year, the Peck Memorial Library opens the doors to its historic opera house for a used book sale. Row after row, under the original, ornate ceilings, lies every book and genre you could imagine. Bring a bag and fill it to the brim for only $5. You can't even get a happy meal for that price these days! Not a reader? It's worth visiting just to gaze at the incredible stained glass windows and unique architecture. It's not every day you get to wander around an old opera house! 

This show is incredible! With over 60 vendors, spanning two buildings, it boasts everything from fine art to homemade jams. Artisans fill the high school and the civic center with all manner of jewelry, woodworking, leather goods, fiber arts, homemade soaps, teas and pottery. The selection is endless. While you're there, be sure to grab a bag of fresh roasted maple nuts.

Marathon, NY was settled by pioneers in 1794, and each year the Maple Fest celebrates their grit and bravery with a living pioneer village. Watch demos around the fire, explore dwellings, and listen to stories from period actors and historians. Then make your way over to the Marathon Historical Society to check out displays, highlighting everything from 1800's Main Street, to Artic explorers. Don't forget to stop by the one room school house to warm up around the pot bellied stove and try your hand a chalkboard lessons. 

My six reasons not to miss the 54th Annual CNY Maple Festival are just the tip of the pancake stack. If you need a few more:

• Free admission and parking make the CNY Maple Festival one of the most accessible spring events in the region, and all demonstrations throughout the weekend are completely free.
• Free festival parking: Visitors can park at Marathon Elementary School and hop on a complimentary shuttle to downtown Marathon for quick access to the heart of the festival.
• New for 2026: Way2Go Cortland will offer a two way park and ride shuttle between the Cortland County Office Building in Cortland and the Village of Marathon, operated by Centro, making it even easier for visitors to attend.
• Bring the whole family, from kids to grandparents, and enjoy maple traditions, local vendors, and plenty of sweet treats.

For full festival details and updates, click here to learn more. Questions about the park and ride shuttle service can be directed to Way2Go Cortland at Mobility@CortlandCountyNY.gov.

Oh, and don't forget to save a little room for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, and just maybe, I'll see you there!

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