Fall Foliage Update
Welcome to the Fall Foliage & Festival Hotline
for the weekend of October 29 and 30,
brought to you by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources.
Well, this is the weekend for ghosts, goblins and other fright-worthy tricks and
treats, and then on Tuesday, November arrives with the holiday season close
behind. And despite the presence of still-green leaves on many trees around the
region, winter is not far away. While this is most obvious in Western Maryland
where most of the leaves have already fallen (and they’re even calling for the
possibility of some wet snow showers this weekend!), the brilliant orange,
yellow and scarlet foliage is at or approaching peak in the tidewater areas of
Central Maryland and the upper Eastern Shore, and it should be worth your while
to plan a drive out to either of these regions this weekend.
At the top of the Bay, Elk Neck State Park
in Cecil County is reporting some beautiful
conditions right now. The park’s sandy beaches, marshlands and heavily-wooded
bluffs comprise the peninsula formed by the North East River, Elk River and the
Chesapeake Bay, and several trails meander through the diversified landscape,
revealing the great variety of plant and animal life. An easy walking trail to
the Turkey Point Lighthouse provides a fantastic view of the Elk River and the
Chesapeake.
In the Central Maryland region, reports from Patapsco
Valley State Park indicate the park is quite colorful. For fabulous
views of the fall foliage, stop by the Valley Overlook in the Hollowfield Area
right off Route 40 near Ellicott City. This weekend would also be the perfect
time to take in the two-mile scenic drive along Orange Grove Road in the Avalon
section of the park near Elkridge. And with the weather forecasted to be clear
and chilly over the next few days, why not head up to the McKeldin Area near
Marriottsville and enjoy a hike along the park’s Switchback Trail.
Equestrians can enjoy riding at Morgan Run
Environmental Area, reporting fantastic conditions right now. Located
off Route 97 north of Route 26 in Carroll County,
this relatively undisturbed area has seven miles of trails running through old
farm fields and forests.
Or consider a visit to Earleville Wildlife Management
Area, in rural southern Cecil County,
or the Millington Wildlife Management Area
in eastern Kent County, both reporting
spectacular conditions right now. These areas, located far off the beaten path,
feature hardwood forests dotted with pine stands, wetlands, fallow fields, warm
season grasses and open farmland, and support a variety of wildlife including
deer, turkey, fox, waterfowl and songbirds.
Remember, if you’re thinking about a weekend get-away to view the fall foliage,
cabins are still available for the season in many state parks. You can reserve
one for a fantastic autumn weekend today by calling the Maryland Park Service’s
Reservation Line at 1-888-432-CAMP (2267).
If you’re headed out to Garrett County this
weekend, bring the kids out to the Autumn Jubilee
taking place at New Germany State Park near
Grantsville on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This traditional seasonal event
will feature an abundance of family-friendly crafts, activities and yummy treats
courtesy of area vendors. Visitors can soak up the spirit of the season from the
comfort of an old-fashioned hayride, while enjoying a children’s costume
contest, woodsmen demonstration, and haunted house tours throughout the day.
Admission is free. Then stick around the park for an
Old Time Jam, going on at the Lake House from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and
join area musicians for some toe-tapping traditional folk, bluegrass, and other
old-time Appalachian music.
Also in the Western Region, one of Washington County’s
most beloved events, the Alsatia Mummers Parade,
steps off down Potomac Street in Hagerstown on Saturday night at 7 p.m. The
largest nighttime parade on the East Coast, more than 10,000 participants and
100,000 spectators will gather for this lavish event featuring floats, bands and
of course, mummers in outrageous feathered garb.
In Frederick County, Cunningham Falls State Park
near Thurmont will hold an Owl Prowl and Costume
Campfire on Saturday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join park staff for a
hike in the beach area, calling for local owls, and get an up close look at some
of the birds from the Scales and Tales aviary; then circle the campfire for
s'mores and fun costume reviews. The event is free with park entrance fee.
Further east in the Central Region, Soldier’s Delight
Natural Environment Area in Baltimore County
will host a scary Halloween History Hike
Friday and Saturday nights, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Travel by lantern light through
the area while hearing ghostly tales of lost miners, local lore, and some
gruesome crime and punishment. Be prepared to meet some live animals along the
way. The hike is suitable for ages 8 years of age and up, and a Halloween story
time and craft will be provided for younger children. Call (410) 461-5005 to
register; $5 per person or $15 per family.
And in Southern Maryland, two events worth checking out: First, at
Cedarville State Forest near the town of
Brandywine in Prince George’s County, a
Halloween Family Fun Night will be held on
Saturday evening, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Bring out the family and enjoy games,
prizes, crafts, sock puppets and spooky Halloween stories around the campfire,
taking place in the pavilion area of the Cedarville campground.
And down in St. Mary’s County, Greenwell State Park
near Hollywood will be the site of the 2nd Annual
Monster Rockfish Festival on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This
authentically-Maryland event will feature rockfish tastings and competitions,
seasonal culinary delights, local beers and wines, music, tours of historic
Rosedale Manor, pony rides, horseback riding demos, kayaking demos, children's
activities, artists and crafters, and outdoor outfitter vendors. The event is
free with a $5 parking fee.
For more information on events around the state this fall, contact the Maryland Office of Tourism at 1-800-MDISFUN or check out their website at www.visitmaryland.org.