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55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival

October 12 - 16, 2022

56th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Title Sponsor

Wednesday, October 11 - Sunday, October 15, 2023
The annual Autumn Glory Festival is a five-day celebration of autumn that celebrates the beauty of the local fall foliage. Additional information about the 2023 festivities will be added as we get closer to the event but see below for information on the 2022 celebration.

The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area, a program of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, will once again offer their annual Turkey Trail, sponsored by the Garrett County Republican, which celebrates the event’s roots by promoting area turkey dinners served in our region. The Heritage Area will also have two new Fall Foliage Driving Tours, sponsored by Advanced Heating & Cooling, LLC and Ledo Pizza, Pasta & Pub, highlighting some of the area’s most scenic spots to view our stunning Autumn leaves.

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 15, 2022.

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. In 2021, Travel & Leisure listed Oakland as one of the Best Small Towns in the U.S. to See Fall Foliage which led to a segment featuring Oakland and Autumn Glory on the Today show. 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.​

View The 2022 Autumn Glory Brochure

Get all the details on our Autumn Glory events in our official 55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Brochure.

A detailed listing of Autumn Glory Festival events from October 12 - 16, 2022 the brochure also includes a map, Fall Foliage Heritage Driving Tours and more.

Download a copy or request a hard copy be mailed to you.

Mountain State Brewing Company is the title sponsor of the 55th annual Autumn Glory Festival.

Grand Feature Parade - Saturday, October 15, 2022

The Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, presented by the Town of Oakland and the Greater Oakland Business Association, will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022. Visitors gather to view regional bands, local professional and amateur floats, dance teams and dignitaries. The parade begins at 1 pm in downtown Oakland on Omar Street and runs down the length of 2nd Street, rounding Alder Street and then ending on 3rd Street near Fox's Pizza Den. Concessions are available on Green Street located across from Naylor's Hardware.

2022 Grand Feature Parade Applications

The Town of Oakland and the Greater Oakland Business Association is currently accepting applications for the 55th Annual Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, sponsored by First United Bank & Trust, at 1 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022 in downtown Oakland.

Participants can be drill teams; police/military; drill teams; majorette/twirling, drum and bugle corps, marching musical units and stationary musical units. Professional, commercial or amateur floats are welcome; however it is asked that all entries are autumn-themed in celebration of the annual Festival.

If you're interested in participating, just complete and return your application by Friday, September 16, 2022 to the Greater Oakland Business Association, Attention: Nicole McCullough at 15 S Third Street, Oakland, MD 21550 or you may fax your application to 301.334.4401.

2022 Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade Float Application

2022 Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade High School Band Application

If you have any questions, please contact the Town of Oakland at 301.334.2691 or email mainstreetgoba@gmail.com.

2022 Grand Feature Parade Road Closings

Please note: several Oakland roads will be closed before and during the 55th Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022.

Garrett Highway/Third Street/Rt 219 will be completely closed to traffic from North 4th Street to Oak Street at 9:30 a.m. Second Street from Omar Street to Alder Street, will also be closed to all vehicles at 9:30 a.m. Traffic traveling north and south through Oakland will be directed to detour via Fourth Street until approximately 30 minutes after the parade ends. Center Street will remain open until 12:45 p.m. and will be closed until approximately 30 minutes after the parade ends. Oak Street will remain open for east/west travel.

Memorial Drive also will be closed to through traffic between Fourth and Eighth Street. No one will be able to turn onto Fourth Street from Memorial Drive. Barricades and police officers will prevent access onto Memorial Drive from Fourth to Eighth streets. Emergency vehicles should use Kings Run or Eighth Street to Memorial Drive for hospital access.

Parking along the parade route, which includes parts of Second, Third, Alder and Omar streets, is prohibited prior to and during the parade. Business owners or employees should stop by in advance to obtain a pass to gain access inside the parade route. This includes the handicapped parking at the Masonic Lodge on First Street. Parade passes are only valid until 12pm. Any vehicles arriving after 12pm will not be granted access to the parade route.

Thirty minutes after the last parade entry completes the parade route north of Lake Street, the streets will reopen as normal.

Parking along the parade route, which includes parts of Second, Third and Alder streets, is prohibited prior to and during the parade. Business owners or employees should contact Oakland City Hall at 301.334.2691, Oakland Police Department at 301.334.2100 or the Chamber of Commerce at 301.387.4386 in advance to obtain a pass to gain access inside the parade route, this includes the handicapped parking at the Masonic Lodge on First Street. Garrett County Deputies, Maryland State Troopers and State Highway employees will be assisting the Oakland Police Department with traffic control during the Autumn Glory parade. Oakland Police Chief Bill Thomas encourages anyone coming to the festival and parade to come early to find a good parking space and enjoy the food and entertainment.

Free parking will be available in the town parking lot at the end of Second Street across the railroad tracks. For questions or concerns please free to contact Chief Thomas at Oakland Police Department or Oakland City Hall between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2022 Fall Foliage Driving Tours

There is no better way to enjoy Autumn Glory than to travel ouor scenic byways and take in some of our beautiful historic spots and vistas throughout the county. Our two Fall Foliage routes provide participants with a guided-tour featuring some of our most stunning vistas and fabulous historic sites. Keep the camera handy and enjoy!

Fall Foliage Heritage Driving Tour – Southern Garrett County

This self-guided driving tour is approximately 40 miles. Highlights on this tour will include a stop by the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center. Swallow Falls State Park, home of the tallest free-falling waterfall in MD. Stop by the Garrett County Historical Society while in downtown Oakland and enjoy learning about the history of Garrett County and the people that have made Garrett County such a special place to live. Take a break at Broadford Park in Mountain Lake Park, where you can even stop for a picnic before heading back home.

Fall Foliage Heritage Driving Tour – Northern Garrett County

This self-guided tour is approximately 46 miles. Highlights on this tour will include some of Garrett County’s most scenic spots, taking you off the beaten path. Enjoy a stop by Monroe Run Overlook and take in this breathtaking mountain vista. Just a little further down the road and you will come across new Germany State Park. One of eight state parks in Garrett County, New Germany is a local’s favorite for hiking, fishing and a quiet spot for families. The next two stops will find you at Little Meadows Campground and the Casselman River Bridge State Park. The Casselman River Bridge was once apart of the National Road and has a rich history in transportation. Allow your self some time to enjoy this area. There is a lot to see and do here. On your way back enjoy some very scenic backroads and some barn quilts along the way.

Click Here to go to Driving Tour maps and written directions

2022 Fall Foliage Driving Tours Sponsors

2022 Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the Kick-Off Reception & Dinner, sponsored by UPMC Western Maryland, for the 55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Meet Autumn Glory King Landon Grady and Queen Natalie Warne during the Cocktail Hour (sponsored by Act Personnel Service, Inc., Fordham Lee Distillery, and David Trone - Congressman for Maryland 6th District) and bid on the one-of-a-kind canvas during the auction for the official Autumn Glory Photo (sponsored by M&T Bank). Congratulate the winner of the 2022 Golden Ambassador Award (sponsored by Vacasa). Fall-themed centerpieces and decorations are sponsored by Mlend. Following the dinner and program stick around for dancing courtesy of Dinner Entertainment sponsors Premier Power Solutions, LLC and Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. The Kick-Off Reception & Dinner will be held in the McHenry Lodge at Wisp Resort from 6:00 to 10:00 pm.

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

  • Casselman Market
  • David Jochynek State Farm
  • J. Gregory Law Firm, L.C.
  • Maryland Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance
  • Pawn Run Bar & Kitchen
  • The Rodeheaver Group, P.C.

Click here for more information and to register for the 2022 Kick-Off Reception & Dinner.

2022 Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner Sponsors

2022 ag dinner sponsors pt1
2022 ag dinner sponsors pt2

2022 Official Autumn Glory Photo and Auction

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce produces an official Autumn Glory Festival brochure that includes events around Garrett County. Each year a photo is chosen that represents Garrett County, Maryland’s natural beauty and focuses on an autumn theme featuring fall foliage/colors.

The photo from this year's Autumn Glory brochure cover will be blown up to 20" x 30" and printed on gallery-wrapped canvas. Attendees of the Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 will have the opportunity to commemorate the 55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival by bidding on this canvas to display in their own home or office. Only one canvas is available, though all Kick-Off Reception & Dinner attendees will receive a commemorative gift bag featuring the photo on a magnet and a postcard.

All auction proceeds are allocated toward tuition assistance for 2022 Autumn Glory King Landon Grady and Queen Natalie Warne.

55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Photo Sponsor

Now Accepting Royalty Applications for the 56th Annual Autumn Glory Festival

Please help spread the word that the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is inviting all those Garrett County students currently in their junior year of high school to submit an application for Autumn Glory Royalty, with fee, by Friday, April 28, 2023 for consideration. This year, we will be choosing a King and a Queen to represent the 56th Annual Autumn Glory Festival at a variety of events throughout the summer and fall of 2023 including: Grantsville Days Parade, Deep Creek Lake Lions Club Boat Parade, Accident Homecoming 4th of July Parade, Kitzmiller Homecoming Parade, Friendsville Days Parade, Buckwheat Festival Parade, Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner, Oakland Fireman's Parade, Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, and more!

Both the King and Queen will receive an educational contribution. As part of the application, you are required to submit a 300-word essay on why you think you should be selected to be part of the Royalty Court. This is in addition to the application fee of $25.00. Interviews will be conducted by appointment in May 2023 and we hope to complete the process by June 1, 2023. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nick Sharps at the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce by calling (301) 387-5237 or emailing nick@garrettchamber.com.

Click here to download the Royalty application for additional information.

2022 Autumn Glory Festival King & Queen

The 2022 Autumn Glory Royalty has been selected for the 55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival. This year’s King is Landon Grady and the Queen is Natalie Warne. Mountain State Brewing Company, is the title sponsor of the 55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival.

Landon Grady serves as the Southern High president of the class of 2023. He is a representative in the student council and a member of the National Honor Society. He is involved in basketball, track, and the Garrett bass slayers. He helps in the community by volunteering to coach basketball, as a huddle leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athlete summer camps, and is a year-round leader for FCA.

Natalie Warne has had the privilege and honor of being born and raised in Garrett Country a place she truly loves. She is very involved in her community and spends a lot of time volunteering. At Southern High she is a member of the girls soccer, cross country and track team. Natalie has also been dedicated to being a leader in her school as secretary of student council, a class representative, a member of National Honors Society, and a club leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Natalie is the Director of Public Relations for Garrett County Association of Student Councils. Natalie is also a member of Team 1629 Garrett Coalition (GaCo) where is the Student Member of the Board, and a Chairman's captain. She was a member of the Chairman’s team that won at the World Championship in April. Natalie plans to go to college after high school to get her teaching degree. She wants to give back to future students in Garrett County.

The Autumn Glory King & Queen will preside over the Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner to be held on Wednesday, October 12, and they will be featured in the Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, presented by the Town of Oakland and the Greater Oakland Business Association, on Saturday, October 15. Besides having the honor of representing their home county during the Autumn Glory Festival and at other events, the Royalty will receive a monetary contribution towards future educational attainment endeavors.

The 55th Annual Autumn Glory Royalty sponsors are Bear Creek Traders, a Hugh Umbel Company; Brodak’s Banquet Hall; Crossroads Church; Healy Insurance Group; LakeFront Lodge; Railey Realty; and Wisp Resort.

55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Royalty Sponsors

2022 ag royalty sponsors

2022 Autumn Glory Festival Turkey Trail

Celebrate the Autumn Glory Festival with a taste of local tradition. More than a decade before the Autumn Glory Festival became an annual event, a group of turkey growers organized and promoted community turkey dinners. “The turkey dinners were an on again-off again event until the Lions Club became involved in the 1960s,” said local historian John Grant. However, the idea of a large festival to attract visitors to the area remained popular and 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 celebration.

The Turkey Trail is an easy-to-use tool for visitors and residents to locate our county-wide dinners served at restaurants, churches, grocery stores and other organizations. The Turkey Trail flyer contains a map, contact information, hours of operation, cost and the delicious items that are included with each dinner. Turkey dinners around the area offer a variation of turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, vegetable, rolls and dessert. (Check flyer for specific offerings at each location). The Turkey Trail flyer is available at the Garrett County Visitors Center as well as a downloadable PDF online at garrettheritage.com. There, you will also find an interactive map that will help with directions to each of the locations.

Visit garrettheritage.com for more information.

55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Turkey Trail Sponsors

Republican-logo
Helbig Insurance Logo

2022 Autumn Glory Golden Ambassador

The Golden Ambassador is announced at the Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner. The title of "Golden Ambassador" is awarded by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce to a person who has contributed to and supported tourism in Garrett County. The Golden Ambassador is selected by a committee of former Golden Ambassador winners. Only Chamber members may nominate fellow Chamber members for this prestigious title.

If you are interested in nominating someone for this distinction, please complete the Golden Ambassador Nomination Form. Please submit your completed nomination form to Sarah Duck by email at sarah@garrettchamber.com , fax at 301.334.8073 or mail, or drop off, your completed nomination to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce located at 15 Visitors Center Drive McHenry, MD 21541 by 5 pm on Friday, September 9th.

For the purposes of this award only, Chamber members shall mean owners, employees and volunteers of a Garrett County Chamber member organization. Only one nomination form is required per nominee; multiple nomination forms for an individual will only be used for additional information about the individual but do not count as multiple nominations. The winner of Golden Ambassador title will be announced at the 2022 Autumn Glory Kick-Off Reception & Dinner held on Wednesday, October 12. The 2022 Golden Ambassador Sponsor is Vacasa.

 

55th Annual Autumn Glory Festival Golden Ambassador Sponsor:

vacasa-llc-vector-logo

Autumn Glory Podcast

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