Betsy Spiker Holcomb – Deep Creek Lake Blog

Autumn Glory Festival Garrett County

The Autumn Glory Festival is one of the most popular events in the Deep Creek Lake area. It draws thousands of visitors to the area each year. In fact, it was named MSN’s number one fall festival in the world!

The 2024 festival dates are October 9-13. Click here for a complete schedule of activities.

So, what is all of the fuss about? Aside from admiring beautiful leaves, there are tons of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.

History of Autumn Glory

Before it was known as “Autumn Glory”, it was actually a turkey festival. Local turkey growers started an annual event to promote turkey dinners. In the 1960s, folks started to think about turning it into a larger festival. It eventually evolved into the extravaganza that we know today. Of course, turkey dinners are still part of the tradition! Check out restaurants that are participating in the “turkey trail”.

Favorite Autumn Glory Activities

The festival kicks-off on Wednesday and continues through Sunday. I put together a few of my favorite “must-dos” for the festival.

-The Autumn Glory Kick-Off Dinner & Reception is Wednesday night at Wisp Resort. You can mingle with the festival king and queen while you dance the night away.

Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine, and Spirits Festival

The Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine, and Spirits Festival is celebrating its twentieth year! It is a favorite Garrett County event and a great way to say good-bye to summer and hello to fall. It is being held September 6-7, 2024 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds.

Festival Highlights

New for 2024, the festival now includes spirits! In addition to wine, there will be craft bourbon, whiskey, and tequila.

The Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine, and Spirits Festival kick-off is a fun Friday night event. From 5-8PM on the 6th, you can attend a premium wine and private label bourbon tasting.

Friday night is also highlighted by wine pairing dinners at local restaurants. You can enjoy carefully crafted, prixe fix menus. Wines are specifically paired to enhance each course. Details are usually announced on social media closer to the event.

On Saturday, the main event takes place from noon-6PM. National and regional wineries offer a variety of 200+ wines for tasting along with craft spirits. If you find one you like, they are available for purchase in the wine/spirits shop.

Deep Creek Lake July Events

Deep Creek Lake July events include a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors with your family. Plus, many of these activities are FREE!

Little Yough Summer Music Festival
June 28-August 20, 7PM, Fridays Throughout Summer

Stage Wisp Free Summer Concert Series
July 3-August 28, 6:30PM, Wednesdays Throughout Summer

Fire on the Mountain Fireworks Display
July 4 at about 9:30
Fireworks are launched over McHenry Cove from Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park. The rain date is July 5.

Victorian Chatauqua
July 6 and 7
Celebrate the history of Mountain Lake Park. This is a free, family-friendly event with historical performances, live music, vendors and artisans, food, trolley bus tours, and more.

Lions Club Boat Parade
July 6 at 7PM
The Parade starts from at the Silver Tree Marina docks in McHenry Cove and proceeds past a number of judging stations along the route. Spectators at the judging stations vote for their favorite boats, At the end of the judged parade, lighted boats go back to McHenry Cove at dusk.

Art in the Park
July 13-14, 10AM-5PM and July 9, 10AM-4PM
Browse artwork from more than 50 vendors at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

Top Tips to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Spring is a great time of year to sell your Deep Creek Lake home. The weather is mild, the flowers are in bloom, and buyers are on the hunt for their dream home. But before you put your home on the market, there are a few things you need to do to ensure it is in top shape.

Here are some top tips to prepare your home for spring:

Check your smoke alarms. First and foremost, make sure your smoke alarms are in working order. This is a crucial safety feature that should not be overlooked. Test each smoke alarm in your home and replace the batteries if needed.

Clean out your dryer vent. Over time, dryer vents can become clogged with lint, which can pose a fire hazard. Make sure to clean out your dryer vent before putting your home on the market. You can do this yourself or hire a professional.

Replace filters. Replace the air filters in your home, including those for your furnace and air conditioning unit. This will help improve the air quality in your home and ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently.

Check pipes for leaks. Inspect all of the pipes in your home for leaks. If you find any leaks, be sure to fix them before showing your home to potential buyers. A leaky pipe can turn off buyers and make them wonder what other hidden problems your home may have.

Wash interior and exterior windows. Clean windows can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home. Take the time to wash both the interior and exterior of your windows to give your home a fresh and bright look.

Deep Creek Lake Easter Events & Activities

Deep Creek Lake Easter events and activities offer something for every member of the family. For those celebrating the holiday, there is no shortage of fun! Keep in mind that all of the info below is for 2024.

Saturday, March 30

Easter Egg Hunt – Broadford Park
Registration begins at 11AM and the hunt starts at noon.
More Info

Eggstreme Easter Egg Hunt – New Germany State Park
8:30AM-2PM
More Info

Easter Egg Hunt – Grantsville Park
3:30PM
More Info

Deep Creek Spring Activities

Deep Creek spring activities offer something for every interest. There are lots of indoor and outdoor options for visitors and residents too.

It is an in-between season when the weather can be a bit unpredictable. You might not always be able to do every item on this list, but you can try! Also, be sure to check days/hours of operation – especially mid-week.

Deep Creek Spring Activities

Deep Creek Fun Zone – You can choose your own adventure and get something great to eat. They have an arcade and lazer tag. When the weather warms up in late spring, they usually open outdoor activities that include mini golf, go carts, and bumper boats. More info.

Fishing – Garrett County’s lakes and rivers offer tons of fishing opportunities. Get your Maryland fishing license and head out to one of our lakes or rivers. Deep Creek Lake State Park and Herrington Manor State Park are kid friendly spots. The Casselman and Savage Rivers are popular for fly fishing. Check out our fishing guide for more details.

Deep Creek Lake Market Update

Here’s a brief overview of the Deep Creek Lake real estate market as of January 25, 2024.

Average sold price lake area residential over the past 30 days: $991,000
Number of sales pending for Garrett County: 75
Number of homes for sale in Garrett County: 114
Number of homes sold in Garrett County in the past 30 days: 30

Deep Creek Dunk Quick Guide

Deep Creek Dunk weekend is fast approaching! I’ll give you all the info you need to thoroughly enjoy this favorite winter event. The 2024 date for the dunk is Saturday, February 24. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Deep Creek Dunk!

For the first time, a “community dunk” is being held. It is Thursday, February 22 at 4PM. It gives local dunkers a chance to take the plunge for Special Olympics Maryland.

About the Deep Creek Dunk

The MSP/NRP Deep Creek Dunk started in 1998. Dunkers plunge into Deep Creek Lake’s frigid water to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD). Individuals and teams raise money to benefit this worthy cause. Prizes are awarded for the most money raised as well as for the wild costumes that help to make the event so much fun!

Goosebumps, Grapes & Growlers

The 2024 Deep Creek Dunk festivities kick-off Friday, February 23 at the Honi-Honi Bar. This wine tasting is held in the heated tent on the deck. A $20 donation benefits Maryland Special Olympics. Continue reading Deep Creek Dunk Quick Guide

Deep Creek Lake Market Update

Here’s a brief overview of the Deep Creek Lake real estate market as of November 17, 2023.

Average sold price lake area residential over the past 30 days: $1,048,065
Number of sales pending for Garrett County: 52
Number of homes for sale in Garrett County: 150
Number of homes sold in Garrett County: in the past 30 days: 45

Deep Creek Holiday Happenings

Deep Creek holiday events offer something for everyone. There is a little bit of magic in our mountains during this festive time of year. It’s easy to catch the spirit of the season whether you’re taking the kids to see Santa or shopping locally for last minute gifts.

Deep Creek Holiday Events

Christmas in the Village
December 1st and 2nd
Held at Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville, this is a favorite area tradition. Enjoy strolling and live music in the Village Church, activities in the Village buildings, and luminaries throughout the Village and on the Casselman Bridge.
More info.

A Great Small Town Christmas
December 1st-3rd
A Great Small Town Christmas includes a tree lighting, sleigh rides, carols, store specials, and visits with Santa! More info.

Joy of Christ Celebration
November 24th-January 1st, 5-10pm nightly
Holiday light show synced to music. More info.

Author: Betsy Spiker Holcomb

Autumn Glory Festival Garrett County

History of Autumn Glory

Favorite Autumn Glory Activities

Deep Creek Lake Art, Wine, and Spirits Festival

Festival Highlights

Deep Creek Lake July Events

Top Tips to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Here are some top tips to prepare your home for spring:

Deep Creek Lake Easter Events & Activities

Saturday, March 30

Deep Creek Spring Activities

Deep Creek Spring Activities

Deep Creek Lake Market Update

Deep Creek Dunk Quick Guide

About the Deep Creek Dunk

Goosebumps, Grapes & Growlers

Deep Creek Lake Market Update

Deep Creek Holiday Happenings

Deep Creek Holiday Events

My Location

Deep Creek Media

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