ELMIRA — One of Waterloo Region's oldest festivals is about to turn 50.

The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, the world's largest one-day maple syrup festival, is set for Saturday, April 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors can tuck into a stack of pancakes covered in maple syrup, browse craft booths, buy apple fritters, baked goods and syrup at the outdoor mall, cheer on participants in a pancake-flipping contest and watch cooking demonstrations.

In 2000, the festival set a Guinness world record for the most people — 66,529 — at a one-day maple syrup festival. More recently it has attracted 75,000 to 80,000.

"We've maxed out at about 80,000," festival chair Ken Jessop said. "I don't think we could take anymore."

Jessop credited the 2,000 volunteers for making the festival work.

Proceeds are donated to local non-profit groups.

"About $1.5 million over 50 years has gone back into community," Jessop said.

Minto Schneider, general manager of the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corp., said the maple syrup festival has "turned into one of the must-visit festivals in Waterloo Region."

One way to get there is on a diesel train operated by the Waterloo Central Railway. The train leaves from Waterloo at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. The round-trip fare is $25 for adults and $15 for children or $75 for two adults and three children. Children two and under don't need a ticket. The station is at 10 Father David Bauer Dr., near the corner of Erb and Caroline streets.

Book tickets at waterloocentralrailway.com or by calling 1-888-559-5077. Tickets can also be bought at the Waterloo station starting April 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the station before the train heads out. The 10:30 a.m. trip may sell out, so buy tickets in advance.

The train from Elmira to Waterloo will leave at noon, 2:30 p.m. and 4:40 p.m.

The train has a lot of history. The engine was built in 1954 and one of the passenger coaches dates back to 1923.