Spring flowers bringing May showers, the dog days of summer, fall foliage at its peak or a winterscape to inspire knitting a new hat and scarf. Perhaps you enjoyed a family reunion or special celebration.

Our friends and staff would love if you could share the delight of a fresh-picked wildflower bouquet, the summer’s big catch, goblins and ghouls carefully hidden in the fall camouflage or the snowman family created to welcome passersby.

Spot old friends frolicking in the lake on their summer vacation or share photos with new friends made while hiking, fishing, skiing or enjoying any of the spectacular outdoor adventures while becoming rejuvenated at this Maryland lake vacation destination.

Tell your ‘what I did on vacation’ story with photographs!

Make the city folk swoon with envy about how truly enjoyable winter can be. Snuggle up next to the fire with a warm drink and email photos of your early morning escape into the winter solitude, the wildlife captured feeding in the evening dusk or how you put the wind to your face with some local skiing to deepcreekresort@longandfoster.com.

Once your friends and family have seen what revelry they’re missing out on, they’re sure to want to join you. Check out photos by actual guests that can help put into perspective the wide range of vacation rentals and activities you have to choose from for next year’s gathering.

Live vicariously through others’ vacation pictures, get inspired, and begin planning your next vacation today! You know you want to.

Click here to send us your photos

Celebrate the Fall Foliage at the #1 Fall Festival in the World!

Every year, since 1968, downtown Oakland in Maryland has celebrated the fall foliage season in the scenic Allegheny Mountains. Residents and visitors alike celebrate nature’s beauty and bounty at the Autumn Glory Festival, listed the number one fall festival in the world by msn.com. The five-day festival takes place October 12-16, 2011.

The brilliant colors of Mother Nature are not the only attraction. Activities and events include the Maryland State Banjo & Fiddle Championships, Tournament of Bands, Fireman’s Parade, Oktoberfest, and the Grand Feature Parade, as well as antique shows, art & craft exhibits, and much more. There’s so much to do and see for every member of the family – including a no-hands sundae eating contest at Lakeside Creamery! As many of you know, Garrett is the most rural county in Maryland. There are over 600 farm businesses, most family owned. Many of these farms have enthusiastically joined the agri-tourism movement where you can get into the heart of our local agriculture tradition. One such farm, Cove Run, creates a maze on their 10-acre corn field. This year they will be teaming up with a children’s home in Guatemala,
Casa Aleluya. Casa has a very powerful ministry with the children of Guatemala. If you haven’t been to this amazing dairy farm outside of the town of Accident, you definitely should add it to your Autumn Glory list of things to do this year. The Oakland Farmer’s Market is still open too where you’ll find and abundance of homemade baked goods and jams and jellies plus fresh veggies, all from our local farms. Please visit the Chamber website for a complete list of Autumn Glory events.

On your way to the Lake, stop off at the Cove Run Farm Corn maze.  This year their proceeds benefit children of Guatemala.  You can see the maze from the 219 Scenic Overlook.

Don’t miss the Haunted Coaster at Wisp! Every Friday and Saturday at dusk thru October 29, the Mountain Coaster seems like a piece of cake after first visiting the very scary haunted house maze, then finding your way to the coaster! Caution! This is not your average run-of-the-mill haunted house. It’s creepy!

There’s nothing scary about buying or selling a home thru Long & Foster! We make it easy with the in-house services of Prosperity Mortgage with Mary Lou Rohrbaugh and Gary Sabo at Sage Title LLC, plus independent agents thru Long & Foster Insurance. Our agents serve the Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, and the surrounding areas including West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

October Highlights

Fall Festival & Open House at Friend’s Store

October 1, 2011

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Pumpkin carving, hay rides, dutch oven cooking, candle making, apple cider pressing & more! Friend’s Store will be open with craft demonstrations. 301.387.7067

SuGO Sunday. Family LEGO Robotics

October 2, 2011

1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Design & build a LEGO Sumo Robot to push your opponents off the competition ring. Rookies welcome. http://www.SuGObot.com

The Haunted Shack at Wisp Resort

October 7- October 29, 2011

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday night.

http://www.wispresort.com

Day of Caring/Sharing

October 7, 2011

8:00 AM – Noon

United Way of Garrett County will have volunteers working at various locations in the county. Free to participate. Free t-shirts, breakfasts and lunch for participants. Meet at Oakland Fire Hall. 877.597.2700

44th annual Autumn Glory Festival

October 12- October 16, 2011

Listed the #1 Fall Festival in the world by msn.com, this five-day celebration with beautiful fall foliage, parades, craft shows, live entertainment, car show and pumpkin festival. Additional information about specific events will be added as they are confirmed. Call 301.387.4386.  Autumn Glory Website

Great Pumpkin Festival at Adventure Sports Center International

October 16, 2011

Pumpkin, Hooligan races plus Kayak and Raft races. Benefits the Dove Center (Garrett County’s domestic violence shelter). www.adventuresportscenter.com

Honi-Honi Annual Halloween Bash

October 29, 2011

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume! Prizes for top costumes. Join us for drink specials and live band entertainment. www.honi-honi.com

Fall Jubilee at the New Germany Lake House

October 29, 2011

11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

New Germany will be hosting an autumn festival featuring a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the day including crafts, hayrides, nature programs, a children’s costume contest, and an Old Time Jam. The event is free of charge, however there is a service charge to enter the park. Snacks & gift items will be available for purchase. 301.895.5453

6th Annual Wisp Ski Patrol Golf Tournament - June 18,  2011

Its Almost Time For Golf !

7 AM Check In and 9 AM shotgun start

• Cash prizes will be  awarded for first and second place.
• Raffle drawings will give away winter and golf prizes.
• Area merchants donate many raffle prizes to be given away.
• Golf courses from Western Maryland to Baltimore donate 18 holes for 4.
• Frosty beverages will be provided for persons 21 and over.  No Underage consumption!
• Four man scramble format.
• After golf BBQ Dinner included.
• Cost of Golf is $80.00 per golfer.
• Company Hole Sponsor fees are $150.00 to promote your business.
• Hole Sponsorship recognition with a laminated sign including your company or personal logo.
• You or your Company is included on a large laminated sign sponsor list.
• Kicker prizes for Longest Drive Men and Women, Longest Second Shot, Longest Putt, Closest to the Pin.
• Raffle tickets are offered – 10 tickets for $10.00 and 2 Mulligans for $10.00. Max 2/player. 50/50 Drawing.
• Bring a Team and have a great weekend of Golf. Wisp Resort Hotel room rate is $69.00/room on this weekend. Rooms sleep 2-4 people. Great Deal ! Make your Reservations EARLY, space is limited, WISP RESORT HOTEL  1 800 462 9477.  Room rate available Friday and Saturday Night.

Tournament Registration, click here…..Registration form

This festival offers something for everyone.  Exhibits of decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread structures, and holiday cakes, crafting workshops, a special day just for kids, live entertainment, and more, all benefiting the Dove Center. The Dove Center began in 1991 to make the public aware of the issue of domestic violence in Garrett County.  Funds raised through the 2008 Festival of Trees will be used to help purchase a larger shelter and counseling facilities. Hours vary, please visit www.fotgc.com for more information.

Garrett County’s Autumn Glory Festival was named #1 Fall Festival in the World by MSN. The 44th Autumn Glory Festival will be held on October 12 – 16, 2011. This five-day event features parades, music, crafts and so much more. Throughout the weekend, along with hundreds of other local events and activities, highlights include Thursday’s Fireman’s Parade in downtown Oakland – some of these fire trucks travel over 200 miles to participate, Friday’s official Maryland State Banjo Championship, and Saturday’s Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade of over 100 units featuring bands, marching units, unique floats, and much more. Visit http://www.visitdeepcreek.com/pages/autumnglory for more information.  It’s a fabulous fall weekend and good old-fashion fun for the entire family.  Think Mayberry, USA….