54th Annual Autumn
Glory Festival
Wednesday – Sunday, Oct 13 – 17
The annual Autumn Glory Festival is a five-day celebration of autumn that celebrates the beauty of the local fall foliage. The 54th annual Autumn Glory Festival, sponsored by Patriot Automotive CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM: King of the 4WD, will be held from Wednesday, October 13 – Sunday, October 17, 2021.
While some events have been cancelled for 2021, this year’s Autumn Glory festivities include the Grand Feature Parade, Oakland Car Show, Farmers Markets, Craft Shows, Antique Show, and more.
Throughout the festival, enjoy a local turkey dinner with our 2021 Turkey Trail. Before the Autumn Glory Festival became an annual event, a group of turkey growers organized and promoted community turkey dinners. The idea of a large festival to attract visitors to the area led to the start of the Autumn Glory Festival. Today, more than 50 years later, turkey dinners are still a favorite tradition of the festival.
Learn more about our Turkey Trail and all of this year’s Autumn Glory happenings with our official Autumn Glory brochure! Download it at visitdeepcreek.com/54th-annual-autumn-glory-festival. Due to the ongoing pandemic, be sure to check with each event before attending to ensure it is still on as scheduled.
But it’s not just about Autumn Glory! Take in the breathtaking views on one, or both, of our Fall Foliage Driving Tours. Enjoy some of the county’s best foliage as you drive the first tour which includes several Garrett County Barn Quilts, Cranesville Swamp, Swallow Falls State Park and Fork Run Recreation Area. The extended tour, which takes approx. 1 hr and 46 minutes, includes historic downtown Oakland, Backbone Mountain, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Loch Lynn Wetlands and Simon Pearce Glassblowing Factory & Outlet.
Head to garrettheritage.com or the Garrett County Visitors Center in McHenry to pick up the full Fall Foliage Driving Tour map and directions.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel this year’s Autumn Glory Craft & Gift Sale scheduled for Saturday, October 16 & Sunday, October 17 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds in McHenry and the Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, October 13. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution in the interest of public safety.
Other longstanding events also cancelled for 2021 include the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department’s Oktoberfest and Fireman’s Parade as well as the Maryland State Fiddle, Banjo & Mandolin Championships.
The Town of Oakland and the Greater Oakland Business Association will host the annual Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, sponsored by First United Bank & Trust, on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 1 PM. This popular event features over 100 units including bands, marching units, clowns, antique vehicles and many unique floats by local clubs and organizations. There will be a variety of food vendors available in downtown Oakland as well as various events held before and after the parade.
Another popular event is the Glorious Harvest Farmers Market & Craft Show being held on Wednesday from 10 Am to 1 PM; Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM; Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Located in the Mt. Fresh Pavilion in downtown Oakland, this old-fashioned Farmers Market and Craft show includes hand made arts & Crafts, homemade baked goods, pumpkins, fall decor, homegrown fresh vegetables and fruits, jams, jellies, eggs, meats and more!
Local businesses will also be hosting events including Simon Pearce where you can watch their glass makers demonstrate the art of glassblowing and shop their Autumn Glory sale to save 25% off select items.
High Mountain Sports will be hosting their Annual Autumn Glory Ski & Snowboard Swap on Friday & Saturday & Sunday at their location at Traders Landing at Deep Creek Lake. Drop off used equipment and find that perfect pair of used skis or snowbaord to learn more about the sport.
Bear Creek Traders, located in Market Square at the lake, will be featuring their Annual Tent Sale with savings of up to 70%. You’ll find a wide variety of clothing and accessories for men and women, footwear, home decor, seasonal merchandise and Deep Creek Lake Souvenirs. Look for the huge white tent in their parking lot for amazing deals.
Another anticipated event is the annual Civic Club Antique, Vintage and Makers Market slated for Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the Oakland Community Center. Here you’ll find antique coins, quilts, furniture, colectibles, baskets, jewelry, handcrafted items and more offered for sale. Their cafe will be offering homemade soups and baked goods to go. $3 admission is good for all three days and all proceeds benfit the Civic Club of Oakland. MASKS REQUIRED.
Other happenings include Cove Run Farms Corn Maze in Accident open by appointment only on Wednesday & Thursday, Friday & Saturday from Noon until 9 PM and Sunday from 2 – 6 PM. The Mountain Lake Park Museum and Ticket office will be open throughout the weekend where you can obtain a tour guide brochure or enjoy a Trolley Ride tour through the historic town. The Oakland Elks will once again be sponsoring their Big Bucks Bingo and Turkey Dinners on Friday, October 15
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. Good Housekeeping has listed our Oakland, MD among the Top 50 Small Towns with the Best Fall Foliage; Travel & Leisure listed Oakland, MD as the number 2 Best Town for Fall Colors in America; and TripAdvisor selected Oakland, MD as one of 20 Best Fall Vacations in America for Seeing Autumn Foliage. Oakland was also selected by U.S. News and World Report as one of 50 Small Towns Across American with Gorgeous Fall Foliage and Readers Digest listed Garrett County as one of the 11 Road Trips That Showcase Stunning Fall Foliage You Need to Take This Autumn.
And, just in time for Fall visitors traveling to Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake, Maryland area, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is offering a Stay 3 Nights for the Price of 2 Promotion on their website, visitdeepcreek.com. The promotion runs from October 21, 2021 – December 16, 2021, non-holidays. Five lodging companies – ranging from rental home properties to an Inn and Retreat Center – are participating in the promotion: Haley Farm Inn & Retreat Center, Joyce’s Deep Creek Rentals, Railey Vacations, Ski Cove #3 and Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. View all of the Stay Three Nights for the Price of 2 lodging offers at visitdeepcreek.com/pages/FallPromotion.