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Fall Foliage and Festival Report October 14 – 15

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 14 and 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism.

Garrett County’s biggest event of the year, the Autumn Glory Festival, is underway in Oakland and other locations throughout the county. Highlights of the festival include the Maryland State Banjo and Fiddle Championships, Tall Tale Storytelling and Book Festival, Western Maryland Tournament of Bands, parades, a 5K Run, and an authentic Oktoberfest celebration.

For those heading out to the event, the fall foliage will certainly not disappoint! Reports from the region indicate leaf change has really picked up in Garrett County, moving rapidly towards peak with lots of yellow and orange showing. Recent rain did bring a lot of leaves down over the past weekend. Red and sugar maples and hickory species, with their colorful pinkish orange and yellow foliage, are looking pretty good in the county at Big Run State Park, along New Germany Road to Grantsville and east along I-68 to Frostburg. In Allegany County good color change can easily be seen on ridges near and far.

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Monkey Business Adventure Park is open at the lake

MCHENRY — Adventure seekers of all ages are currently welcome at Monkey Business Adventure Park, which recently opened at 970 Deep Creek Drive, McHenry.

Several choices are available, including ziplining, aerial obstacle courses and free-falling. The park has three elevation levels, each with different challenges.

The park is owned by Deep Creek Lake Adventures, which also owns Splash Island Inflatable Water Park.

“We were trying to create another outlet to get kids out and active,” said Operational Manager Jordan Smith. “The site also gave us the perfect location to create synergy with Deep Creek Lake. I think people who come to Deep Creek need a few more activities, especially in the fall. The course will offer some bombastic views of the fall foliage and whatnot. This is a great way for parents and kids to spend time together. It really is a great confidence-builder for kids and adults.”

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50th year of Autumn Glory Festival begins next week

OAKLAND — Garrett County’s autumn splendor is gracefully arriving just in time for the 50th annual Autumn Glory Festival, which is set to begin next Wednesday, Oct. 11. Guests from all over either travel or return home to the mountain this time of year to take in the sights and sounds of fall.

The Glorious Harvest Farmers Market & Craft Show will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and be open various hours Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Mtn. Fresh Pavilion at Oakland Town Parking Lot. A sale and glassblowing demonstrations will be offered daily at Simon Pearce, Mtn. Lake Park. The Cove Run Farms Corn Maze will open Wednesday by appointment, then with a different schedule daily.

The traditional Autumn Glory Kick-off Reception will be held Wednesday evening beginning at 6 p.m. at the Ag Heritage Hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry. Autumn Glory royalty will be crowned and several honors and awards will be given throughout the evening.

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Garrett Co. Arts Council To Host 38th Annual Heritage Craft Fest

Autumn Glory Festival’s longest running art and craft show, the Heritage Craft Fest, will be hosted for the 38th year at Broad Ford Elementary and Southern Middle schools. This juried show is organized by the Garrett County Arts Council. Its proceeds benefit the many programs of the local arts community.

More than 60 quality art and craft vendors will be present on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and 14, at the Harvey Winters Road locations. This established event is always a popular part of the festival. Artists from six states will be located in the cafeteria and gymnasiums of both schools.

A wide variety of products will be available for purchase, including pottery, photography, paintings, baskets, floral designs, up-cycled art, furniture, quilts, wood working, knives, jewelry, fiber arts, quilling, children’s books and soaps.

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Oakland, Deep Creek among TripAdvisor’s “Best Fall Vacations”

OAKLAND — The town of Oakland, including the Deep Creek Lake area, has been named by TripAdvisor as one of the “21 Best Fall Vacations in America for Seeing the Colors.”

“We are delighted to be included in this list by TripAdvisor,” said Nicole Christian, president and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Every year, Garrett County garners more accolades for its spectacular fall, which is why we host an annual Autumn Glory Festival. For 50 years, we have been celebrating Garrett County’s most colorful season, with parades, craft and antique shows, Oktoberfest featuring an Oompah band, turkey dinners, and more. This year’s festival is Oct. 11–15. But you don’t have to wait until the festival to enjoy the scenery; you can go ‘leaf peeping’ on one of our Fall Foliage Driving Tours now through the end of the fall season.”

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Tenth Annual Festival of Trees – Nov 24 & 25

The Tenth Annual Festival of Trees will be held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds on November 24 and 25. Start your day with Breakfast with Santa on either Friday or Saturday for either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and have a professional photo taken with Santa in his sleigh, then decorate your own cookie at Santa’s Bakery. Spend as much time as you want with the many free kids’ activities and the try out the Lego robotics.  Be sure shop for your friends and family for only $1 per item at the Elfenheim Mall.   Don’t miss a visit with our numerous vendors for mostly hand-made unique gifts for family, friends and YOURSELF.  (Pay vendors directly.)  And Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, sponsored by Sorrellee’s Pizza, is open all day until 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday – Very reasonably priced and tasty food for the entire family.  You will also enjoy our new BUY ME NOW tables of holiday items instead of the usual silent auction.  No waiting!  Treat yourself to a $3 sundae you make yourself, sponsored by the fabulous Lakeside Creamery.

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Clark, Ettinger win Deep Creek Yacht Club 2017 photo contest

DEEP CREEK LAKE — The Deep Creek Yacht Club sponsored a photo contest to promote the sport of sailing on Deep Creek Lake and to highlight the numerous recreational activities and awareness of the natural beauty of Deep Creek Lake.

The contest sought photographic images in two separate categories.

The first category was “Sailing on Deep Creek Lake,” which featured photos of sailboats, sailors, sailboat racing, and/or cruising while showcasing the thrill, passion and/or serenity of sailing.

The second category was the Beauty and Recreation of Deep Creek Lake which included scenic shots of the lake’s natural beauty and/or people using the lake for fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, or other various activities.

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Garrett County commissioners to hold meeting in Finzel

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners have announced the agenda for their next public meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at the Eastern Garrett County Volunteer fire hall.

The session will include a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant application for the proposed Bloomington Water Treatment Plant.

In addition, the commissioners will make appointments to the Garrett County Health Planning Council and Garrett County Law Enforcement Personnel Retirement Board, review a real property tax exemption request from the Accident Community Housing Corporation and consider adoption of a resolution to adopt an all-terrain/snowmobile ordinance.

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Sporting high-end finishes and professionally decorated, this 4 level Villages of Wisp unit will blow you away! Upgrades include hardwood floors & carpet, fresh paint, new lighting, washer and dryer, designer furniture and new TVs. Seller also added 2 AC units. Seasonal views of the water. This specific area has a HUGE backyard area – perfect for entertaining or playing in the yard.

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Garrett County commissioners to meet on Tuesday

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners will hold their next public meeting Tuesday at the county courthouse in Oakland beginning at 4 p.m.

Agenda items include recognition of the retirements of Michael Saunders, 30 years, Garrett County Public Safety Communications, and James Spiker, 11 years, Garrett County Department of Facilities and Maintenance. The commissioners will also honor the Garrett County Department of Public Works – Roads Division’s bridge crew.

Bid awards will be considered for parking lot and sidewalk replacement projects at the Garrett County Health Department and a HVAC unit replacement at the Visitors Center in McHenry.

The commissioners also plan to announce their decision on Resolution 2017-6, an ordinance that would allow a person operating a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, under specific conditions, to cross a county-owned road or drive on a designated portion of a county-owned road.

For more information click here.