OAKLAND — As the reds, yellows and oranges of fall colors continue to creep into the region, residents and visitors in Garrett County celebrated the changing of the season and the area’s prolific scenery.
On a perfect leaf-peeping weekend in Oakland, the 57th annual Autumn Glory Festival was in full swing, peaking during the yearly parade, which featured countless local participants from Southern Garrett High School’s marching band to several dogs from the HART Animal Center.
In 2007, the festival was voted the top fall festival in the world by the travel website MSN.com, and its popularity has only flourished since.
Third Street was packed with people lining up to see the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, and saw thousands of tourists and locals coming together to celebrate the area’s heritage and foliage.
The festival began Wednesday with the Glorious Harvest Farmers Market and Craft Show, along with the popular Antiques & Artisans Market. The antique market saw its 50th year of operation this year.
The history of the Autumn Glory Festival is tied directly to the heritage of Maryland’s westernmost county.
According to Nick Sharps, the Membership Development manager for the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and Autumn Glory Committee member, the festival’s roots can be traced back to local turkey farmers.
Each fall, the local farmers would sell turkey dinners — and they were so popular that the event grew into what is now the Autumn Glory Festival. The first official festival was held in 1967.
Sharps said that the event is the biggest and most popular festival throughout the entire year for not just the town of Oakland, but also Garrett County.
“We have a record number of businesses and organizations involved this year,” he said.
Sharps said that Autumn Glory is the perfect way for local farmers to promote not just their turkey dinners, but also other products.
“It brings tens of thousands of people from all around,” said Sharps, referencing the benefits the festival brings to the local economy.
Sharps was born and raised in Oakland, and has seen the festival grow and shift over the years. He has been on the Autumn Glory Committee for nine years.
“I couldn’t even imagine living somewhere without an Autumn Glory Festival,” Sharps said. “It’s a part of the fabric of our community.”
Valerie Stemac is a business coordinator and the organizer of the Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, and she shares a similar perspective with Sharps.
It is Stemac’s first year organizing the parade for the town of Oakland.
“It’s kind of a central part of the Autumn Glory Festival over the years,” said Stemac. “It’s really exciting to be a part of it.”
Stemac grew up in nearby Somerset County, Pennsylvania, but still came to the Autumn Glory Festival every year. She remembers the Battle of the Marching Bands at Southern High School fondly.
“It’s been a part of my life, and my childhood,” she said. “It’s great to create that magic for other people.”
The Autumn Glory Festival wrapped up Sunday afternoon with a car show in downtown Oakland.