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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.

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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.

Continue reading Autumn Glory Festival Garrett County

Autumn Glory Festival 2020

Autumn Glory Festival 2020 has been on the minds of leaf peepers recently. This favorite fall event draws thousands of visitors to Garrett County every October.

autumn glory festival 2020

Due to COVID-19, many large events are being cancelled. It is important to keep everyone safe. However, the festival organizers have reimagined some of the events. We can still celebrate the beauty of fall at Deep Creek.

About the Autumn Glory Festival 2020

The festival will take place Thursday, October 7 – Sunday, October 11. The festival will have a different look this year. The Fireman’s Parade, “Oompah”, and the Grand Feature Parade are cancelled.

Instead of parade, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce host an Autumn Glory Float Contest. This will take place Saturday, October 10. Local businesses and organizations will decorate Autumn-themed floats. They will be placed in several locations throughout Garrett County. You can visit each float location between 11 am and 5 pm that day. Vote for your favorite one. The three floats with the most votes will receive cash prizes. This will also be a great way to check out the fall colors.

The Chamber will also host the annual Autumn Glory Craft & Gift Sale. It is Saturday, October 10 from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday, October 11 from 10 am – 4 pm at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry.

You will still be able to get the traditional turkey dinners as well. Visit the Garrett Heritage website for more details. Local restaurants will feature turkey dinners that celebrate the event’s roots as a turkey festival. You can also keep an eye on their site for two new fall foliage driving tours.

Other events include:

• The Oakland Car Show on Sunday, October 11
• Oakland’s Celebration of Autumn Glory on Saturday, October 10
• Farmers Market & Craft Show Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Special Autumn Glory Weekend Sales and Discounts
• SEYMOUR: Virtual Marketplace
• Corn Maze
• Virtual Autumn Glory Photo Canvas Auction
• Virtual Autumn Glory Kick-Off Event
• Two Fall Foliage Heritage Driving Tours
• Wisp Resort’s Autumn Glory Weekend Activities

In Conclusion

Garrett County is well-know for spectacular fall colors and stunning scenery. It has received notice from MSN, Good Housekeeping, TripAdvisor, and Reader’s Digest – just to name a few. Visit us this fall, and you just might fall in love with the area! Start searching for your dream home at Deep Creek Lake now!

10 Favorite Deep Creek Lake Fall Activities

Deep Creek Lake fall activities offer something for every age and interest. It is a season known for beautiful leaves and fun festivals. Each weekend holds opportunities to explore the outdoors or simply unwind.

deep creek lake fall activities

10 Favorite Deep Creek Lake Fall Activities

Play outside! The Deep Creek Lake area has seven state parks. Each offers hiking trails. Swallow Falls State Park is especially popular. Hike the Canyon Trail to see all three waterfalls too. Another popular spot is Herrington Manor State Park where you can canoe on the quiet lake.

Shop local! Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Market for local maple syrup and fall harvest veggies. Continue reading 10 Favorite Deep Creek Lake Fall Activities

50th Annual Autumn Glory Festival

The 50th Annual Autumn Glory Festival is a five-day celebration of autumn that celebrates the beauty of the fall foliage around the Deep Creek area of Garrett County.  The festival is held from Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 15.
 
Autumn Glory Festival

Festival Highlights

County-wide events celebrate the area’s beautiful foliage and offers a wide variety of things to do both indoors or outdoors. Highlights of the festival include:

  • Autumn Glory Kick-Off Dinner & Reception on Wed., Oct. 11
  • Oktoberfest Dinner & Celebration on Wed., Oct. 11
  • Fireman’s Parade at 7PM on Thurs., Oct. 12
  • Grand Feature Parade 1PM on Sat., Oct. 14
  • Banjo Championship on Friday, Oct 13
  • Sundae Eating Contest on Sunday, Oct. 15

Kick off Dinner & Reception

The 2017 Kick-Off Dinner will be held on Wednesday, October 11 from 6-10 p.m. in the Ag Heritage Hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds with catering by Dutch’s at Silver Tree. You can register for the Kick-Off Dinner HERE.
 
The Autumn Glory Kick-Off Dinner & Reception features cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and a full course dinner including assorted desserts. A presentation follows with an introduction of the Autumn Glory King & Queen, Sponsor recognition presentation, Golden Ambassador presentation and a commemorative photo auction. The evening ends with dancing and live music courtesy of 80’s Enough .

Autumn Glory Festival

Craft Shows

There are several craft shows during the Autumn Glory Festival weekend. The Craft & Gift Show held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds is put on by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce at the Ag Heritage Hall is held Saturday, 10am – 6pm, and Sunday,10am – 4pm.
 
Sixty craft vendors will be on-site showcasing their handicraft items and gifts. Admission and parking is free. Concessions will be available on-site.
 
This year’s festival also includes two large parades, concerts, band competitions, art exhibits, antique & craft shows and much more!
 
Autumn Glory Festival

Popular Festival Gets Noticed Internationally

Garrett County’s annual Autumn Glory Festival landed in the international spotlight in 2007, when the popular travel website, MSN.com listed it tops among fall festivals in the world and this year, Good Housekeeping lists our Oakland, MD among the Top 50 Small Towns with the Best Fall Foliage. And in 2014, Travel & Leisure listed the Autumn Glory Festival and our own Oakland, MD as America’s Best Town for Fall Colors.
 
View this Travel Channel video about the annual festival!
 
The Autumn Glory Festival is sponsored by the Garrett Regional Medical Center, a proud affiliate of WVU Medicine. For more information, or if you have questions, please call 301-387-4386.