SKOWHEGAN -- Pancakes will fry and maple syrup will pour when the second annual public pancake breakfast makes it way to the tables this Saturday at Tewksbury Hall on Island Avenue.

The breakfast was organized last year through Main Street Skowhegan to promote the maple syrup industry in Skowhegan and Somerset County. Last year's turnout in downtown Skowhegan was double the group's expectations with about 200 people in attendance, according to spokeswoman Amber Lambke. The breakfast was held the morning before Maine Maple Sunday, an event with a 26-year tradition in Maine, she said.

Maine Maple Sunday was started by Strawberry Hill Farms of Skowhegan, which coordinated area sugar shacks to open their doors to the public for tours and tasting, Lambke said.

"This year, Maine Maple Sunday tours will be a great way to spend Easter with your family and friends," she said.

A full list of sugar houses participating in Maine Maple Sunday can be found at the Maine Department of Agriculture's Web site at www.getrealmaine.com.

Owners of Evelyn's Furniture in Skowhegan, Jim and Lisa Veilleux -- also trained chef and pastry chef -- planned the breakfast with a group of Main Street Skowhegan volunteers. Again this year, they will feature local foods and a secret pancake recipe.

Vendors from the Skowhegan Farmers Market will supply locally raised, all-natural sausage, eggs, milk, apple cider and granola. Vendors include Highland Farm of St. Albans, Grassland Farm of Skowhegan, Cayford Orchards of Skowhegan, Northstar Orchards, and Food for Thought. Redington Fairview General Hospital donated the fruit.

While they wait for breakfast, children will be able to color place mats designed by Iver Lofving, a wood block print artist and potter from Skowhegan. Lambke will sell handmade maple syrup pitchers from a pottery project called "Mud Season." Proceeds will be used to sponsor summer programming and live entertainment at the Skowhegan Farmers Market, which meets during the summer.

At the breakfast, central Maine's Pineland Suzuki School students and instructors will entertain with violin, cello and harp music.

The event will allow students to practice their performance pieces in preparation for the annual Pineland benefit concert at Cony High School at 2 p.m. on April 6.

In the fall of 2005, Main Street Skowhegan became one of eight Main Street Maine communities in a program that seeks to rejuvenate the state's downtowns.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com