2026-62nd WNY Maple Festival

Historic Village of Franklinville, NY (15 miles east of Ellicottville)

Saturday April 25th- 11am


The WNY Maple Festival parade showcases local companies, community organizations, and volunteer fire departments. The local high school band and various school groups participate. The Maple Festival King and Queen and contestants’ parade through as well.

Come line Main Street in the charming Village of Franklinville for an enjoyable lineup! The parade will begin on South Main St at the Franklin St intersection and continue North until the Fire Department.

Click here to submit the 2026 Parade Entry Form

Float Contest……………………………..

Division 1: School Class, School Club, School Organization

2026 Theme: Team of Heroes

1st Place- $200 donation to class or group fund & trophy

2nd Place- $100 donation to class or group fund.

Division 2: Business, Local Organization, Other non-school

1st Place- $250 monetary prize and trophy

Parade Rules……………………………….

ENTRANTS MUST OBSERVE ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS LISTED BELOW. ENTRANTS MUST ALSO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS FROM POLICE AND PARADE OFFICIALS AT ALL TIMES ON PARADE DAY. THE PARADE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REMOVE ANY ENTRANT FROM THE PARADE AT ANY POINT ON PARADE DAY.  REMOVAL CAN OCCUR PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY, WHILE ASSEMBLING, OR ANY TIME DURING THE PARADE.

  1. NO MATERIALS MAY BE THROWN ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE. WALKERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAND MATERIALS TO SPECTATORS.
  2. All units are required to maintain a reasonable gap between units. Failure to do so may warrant removal from the parade.
  3. Drivers of any and all vehicles in the parade areas must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 18 years old, and possess all liability vehicle insurance.
  4. Livestock, reptiles, wild and domestic animals shall not be in the parade unless prior approval by the Parade Committee is obtained. If approval is granted, all handlers of animals are required to make prior arrangements for clean up, if necessary, in the staging area and along the parade route.
  5. Use of high intensity sound making devices is strongly discouraged. Sound must meet the Sound Ordinance Requirements set by the Village of Franklinville.  Music/Sound will be turned off when approaching and passing by any broadcasting/announcer’s areas (Park Square).  Parade officials will withdraw any unit that does not comply with their instructions to turn down or turn off sound when instructed to do so. Failure to comply with the instructions of parade officials will result in immediate removal from the parade and jeopardize future participation.
  6. Costumes must conform to the standards of reasonable public taste.  Costumes are to be family friendly. 
  7. Performances must conform to the standards of reasonable public taste.  Performances are to be family friendly.
  8. Political Campaigning is not permitted.  Politicians are welcome to participate in the parade but handing out of materials, flyers, etc. is not permitted.  

NOTICE:  Entrants that do not appear on parade day without prior notification to parade officials or entries that do not comply with the rules and regulations jeopardize future participation in the WNY Maple Festival Parade.  The Parade Committee reserves the right to accept or decline any entry.  The WNY Maple Festival Parade Committee’s decision regarding all entries is final. 

FLOATS

  1. Only vehicles pulling floats or providing transportation for pageant entries will be allowed in the parade. Exceptions will be considered for antique vehicles and other organized specialty car groups with prior approval. Vehicles that are pulling floats should be incorporated as much as possible into the float and decorated accordingly.
  2. All banners must be neatly lettered and legible. 
  3. All electrical devices must be properly grounded.
  4. No participants may jump on a float to ride and not interfere with any other unit in any way. Float capacity will not be exceeded. No participants will dismount from a float during the parade route. Participants will not have body parts, particularly legs and feet, extending past the sides, front or rear of the float. This is an extreme safety hazard.
  5. Float platforms should have a fixed axle at/near the rear and a steer able axle at the front. Farm wagons make excellent platforms.

LINEUP

  • All entries will be assigned a line-up number and receive further instructions about the parade upon approval of your application.
  • All approved applicants will need to be at the Elm Street/West Ave assembly area no later than 10:30 am on Parade Day. Step-off is scheduled to begin promptly at 10:50 am, in order to begin the procession at 11:00 am.
  • Only vehicles with an approved application will be allowed to enter the assembly area. Walkers/float riders will be dropped off at the First Baptist Church; no vehicles dropping off walkers/riders will be allowed into the assembly area.

ROUTE

  • ​The parade will start from the assembly area moving North on Main Street. It will proceed on N. Main Street and terminate at the Franklinville Fire Department/Main & Green Street intersection.
  • NO PARTICIPANT WILL STOP MOTION OF THE PARADE PROCESSION ON HAY STREET OR MAXWELL STREET UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED BY A PARADE OFFICIAL OR POLICE OFFICER.