PICKENS — The annual Maple Syrup Festival returns for its 39th year this weekend, featuring pancake feeds, crafters, vendors, live music and more.

The “Haven in the Hardwoods” sugary festivities will take place on Saturday and Sunday. 

It is asked that visitors be prepared to pay with cash at meals and most vendors, as there is no cell service and no ATMs in Pickens. All proceeds from the festival go toward maintaining Pickens’ historic buildings and the community in general.

On Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the American Legion Hall in Pickens will present a pancake feed. Pickens School will also be offering a pancake feed on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Food vendors, including a hot dog sale at the Fire Hall, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Maple cotton candy will also be available at those times at the Depot.

Crafters will be stationed in multiple locations this weekend, including at the Depot, the Craft Store, the Pickens’ Fire House and the Quilt House, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be a quilt show at the Quilt House during those times.

The Craft Store will also be hosting a craft sale during those times this weekend. Visitors will also be able to buy maple syrup, maple candy, t-shirts and hats at the Craft Store. On Sunday at 3 p.m., the Craft Store will be having a drawing for a maple quilt.

The Robert-Cunningham Museum and the Community Archives, which are held at the Craft Store, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Crossroads Farms will be offering horse rides as well on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The playground in Pickens will be holding games for kids from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Depot will also be hosting a Children’s Art Show during those times this weekend.

Starting at noon on both Saturday and Sunday, the Pickens Opera House will be hosting live music performances.

From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, the American Legion Hall will be hosting the Ham and Bean Dinner. Michael Bonnett & River’s Edge will begin performing at the Legion Hall at 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The Buckhannon Camera Club Photo Show will also be taking place at the Pickens’ Fire Department’s ground level on Saturday and Sunday. Ritcher’s Sugar Camp, located on Hicks Ridge Road, just off Turkey Bone Road, will be open for tours on both days as well.

It is recommended that, if visitors are using GPS to locate Pickens, they avoid the route that would take them from Holly River State Park, unless they wish to take the scenic route on a narrow dirt road.

For more information about the 39th annual Maple Syrup Festival, contact Debby Morgan at 304-439-0038, Jerry Hull at 304-924-5509, visit the town’s website at pickenswv.squarespace.com or send an email to pickensmsf@gmail.com.