Across Garrett County, preparations have been underway for months. Volunteers have attended meetings, organizations have planned exhibits, communities have coordinated activities, and countless individuals have contributed their time and talents to create something special. On July 18, those efforts will come together for Garrett 250’s signature event: the Garrett 250 Birthday Bash.
As excitement builds, many people are asking the same questions: What exactly is Garrett 250? Who is it for? And why does it matter? Here’s everything you need to know.
The simple answer is everyone with a connection or interest in Garrett County..
Garrett 250 was commissioned by the Garrett County Government as a community-wide celebration welcoming residents, visitors, families, veterans, students, business owners, civic organizations, and anyone enjoys Garrett County. Whether your family has lived here for generations or you discovered the area through a weekend visit and fell in love with it, Garrett 250 is designed to bring people together.
The event itself reflects that spirit. Local nonprofits, community groups, veterans organizations, first responders, businesses, and volunteers will all play a role in the celebration. It is a reminder that the story of Garrett County has never been written by one person or one generation. Instead, it has been shaped by thousands of people whose contributions—large and small—have helped build the community we know today.
Garrett 250 is Garrett County’s participation in the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, and communities across the country are finding unique and meaningful ways to recognize the people, places, and events that have shaped their local history while also celebrating American Pride. Here in Garrett County, the Birthday Bash serves as the centerpiece of those efforts.
The free, family-friendly event will feature exhibits, educational displays, children’s activities, live entertainment, community organizations, local history, veterans programming, food and beverage options, and opportunities to connect with neighbors and visitors alike.
“This is a community event to celebrate local and what makes Garrett County special,” said Garrett 250 Event Director, Missy Gralish. “I was taught to volunteer and give back at an early age and I love being able to play a role in celebrating Garrett County!”
One of the day’s signature moments will be “A County United,” a large-scale American flag unfurling that will bring together volunteers from across the region. The ceremony is intended to honor the generations who have contributed to Garrett County’s story and to symbolize the shared connections that unite communities throughout the county.
“I can tell our community is excited about the drone show. Anecdotally, I’ve talked to many people who saw the drone show last year [for the DCL 100 event], and they want to be sure to see this year’s show. Also. it seems everyone that I’ve talked to who missed the drone finale last year is making plans to make sure they see the show this year,” said Garrett 250 Chair, Sarah Myers.
The Garrett 250 Birthday Bash will take place on:
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Noon to 10:00 p.m.
Garrett County Fairgrounds
Activities and exhibits will be available throughout the afternoon and evening. Visitors can spend the entire day exploring the fairgrounds, enjoying live entertainment, relaxing in the Biergarten, learning more about local history, and participating in activities designed for all ages.
Several featured events are scheduled throughout the day, including the official program kickoff with George Washington, a commemorative coin distribution, and fan-favorite entertainment to include The Remedy, the Garrett County Community Concert Band, and the drone finale show.
Perhaps the most important question, though, is “why?” Why invest the time, energy, and resources into a celebration like this?
Across the nation, communities are participating in America 250 by reflecting on their history, recognizing the people who helped shape it, and celebrating the values that continue to unite us. Here in Garrett County, we are doing the same through our guiding theme, “Celebrating America Together”.
In a time when it can be easy to focus on our differences, community celebrations remind us of what we share. They create opportunities to meet neighbors, learn local stories, honor service and sacrifice, celebrate accomplishments, and build connections across generations.
On July 18, the community is invited to come together, reflect on that shared story, and celebrate all that makes Garrett County a place worth calling home.
Listen to the full interview podcasts with Sarah Myers and Missy Gralish on The Backbone Podcast, stories and perspectives from Western Maryland. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.’