80th PA Maple Festival
A sure sign of the sweet return of spring in the Laurel Highlands is when the sap starts to run on the sugar maple trees in “Maple City, USA,” a.k.a. Meyersdale, Pennsylvania . . . home of the annual Pennsylvania Maple Festival. Thousands of visitors attend this event to observe the ritual of tapping trees and the maple production process and to stop at the town’s community center and sample the area’s renowned maple syrup on a huge stack of fluffy pancakes and sausage.
Events include:
- demonstrations on how syrup is made
- activities for children
- live entertainment
- food including the famous Lion’s pancake & sausage meal
- concessions
- Artists and Crafters
- Quilt Show – a fabulous one
- parade including the Maple Queen winner
- horse pull contest
- Maple Queen contest
- antique and street rod auto shows
- the famous ‘Legend of the Magic Water’ historical pageant
- tours
- and more
Learn how to tap a tree, boil sap into syrup, make sugar cakes, twirl spotza and sugar-off. You will want to take home many maple products to satisfy your sweet tooth!
While you’re at Festival Park browse our craft vendors and enjoy live entertainment on our outside stage. Plenty of food and fun are also located throughout the park. Your visit to the Pennsylvania Maple Festival should begin here.
No pets allowed on Festival Park Grounds – Service animals only
Chalk the Block 2026
The 10th Annual Uptown Chalk the Block festival takes place in Uptown Somerset, PA, from July 24–26, 2026.
The free three-day street painting festival features vintage-inspired “Yesteryear” chalk masterpieces by professional artists, 26 live musical acts across three stages, food trucks, pop-up shops, and a car cruise.
2nd Annual Shanksville Paddle Battle
Registration Deadline: July 28, 2026
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Location: Shanksville Pickleball Courts, Shanksville, PA
Support the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department during the 2nd Annual Shanksville Paddle Battle pickleball tournament. The event aims to raise $2,000 for the department through a fun round-robin competition.
Spectators are welcome and can enjoy Shanksville Community Days activities, including raffles, games of chance, food, and pies.
Tournament Divisions
Spicy Division
- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Competitive players (approximately 3.5+)
Mild Division
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Intermediate/Recreational players (approximately 3.0–3.5)
Registration
- Registration by donation
- $25 minimum; $50 suggested
- Limited to 20 players per division
- No partners required; participants will play with different partners throughout the tournament
- Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division
Contact
Sarah Bradford
Phone: 303-915-9484
Email: sarahmbradford@gmail.com
Shanksville Community Picnic
Dates: Friday, July 31, 2026 & Saturday, August 1, 2026
Location: Shanksville Community Grove, 1291 Cornerstone Road, Friedens, PA
The Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate 75 years of service by hosting the 97th Annual Shanksville Community Picnic. Enjoy food, games, raffles, live entertainment, fire truck tours, a bounce house, dunk tank, duck pond, chuck-a-luck, dime toss, and more.
Friday, July 31
- Food and games open at 4:00 p.m.
- Main Street Parade at 6:00 p.m.
- Free concert featuring BonJourney at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 1
- Food and games open at 11:00 a.m.
- Free concerts:
- Somerset County Community Band at 1:00 p.m.
- Ridgemont High at 3:00 p.m.
- Vicious Cycle: A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at 7:00 p.m.
- Helicopter tours at 2:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
- Touch-a-Truck activities
Food offerings include BBQ chicken, sweet Italian sausage, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, fresh-cut fries, sides, drinks, ice cream, and homemade pie. All proceeds benefit the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department.
