Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Hotline for the weekend of September 26 and 27, brought to you by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

This is the first weekend of Fall 2009 and thoughts are naturally turning to the sights, sounds and scents of autumn: screaming fan-filled football stadiums, brilliant orange pumpkins, cinnamon and cider warming on the stove, and the welcomed return of the Canada geese. The most obvious indicator of autumn's arrival, the changing of the foliage, is still a few weeks away for most of the state; however in Western Maryland, pockets here and there are starting to show splotches of brilliant color.  Traditionally it’s the region where leaf color changes are seen first, with Garrett County's foliage beginning to turn during the around the end of September, and peaking toward the middle of October. The shorter, cooler days that accompany these spectacular changes offer the perfect opportunity for native Marylanders and visitors alike to get out and experience some of our state's exciting fall festivals.

If you’re heading out into the Piedmont this weekend, stop by the Westminster Fallfest, taking place in the city park and downtown area of this picturesque Carroll County town. With over 200 vendors represented, highlights include a one-mile run, car show, bingo, karaoke and pie eating contests, carnival rides and plenty of food. The largest annual charitable event in the county, proceeds raised support local non-profits such as Carroll Hospice and Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County. Evening entertainment includes the music of The Third Power, Bone Dri, the Robert Allen Blues Band and Cruise.

Down in Southern Maryland, the St. Mary's County Fair will be held in Leonardtown Thursday through Sunday. Since 1947, residents of Southern Maryland have enjoyed the four-day festival of non-stop agricultural exhibits and entertainment dedicated to the preservation of our agricultural heritage. This old-fashioned, family-style event features a carnival, livestock exhibits, horse shows, home and garden displays, a farm museum, parade, and plenty of arts and crafts.

In Prince George’s County, the town of Bowie will host the Old Bowie Fall Fest on Sunday. The event will include more than 100 antique vendors, collectibles and craft booths, a wild bird show, musical entertainment, as well as tours and exhibits at the town’s railroad museum.

Up at the top of the Bay, the Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Show will be going on Saturday and Sunday at the Steppingstone Museum in Susquehanna State Park near Havre de Grace. Stop by and learn how to create your own scarecrow, design a jack-o’-lantern, or make a jar of homemade apple butter. Listen to local storytellers as they spin a yarn or two, swing your partner to a Virginia reel, or enjoy a relaxing hayride through the park.

While the leaves around the region are still green, there are plenty of fun things happening up and down the Eastern Shore this weekend! Over in Kent County, the annual Rock Hall Fallfest takes place in this picturesque waterman’s town Saturday. Stick around for the evening’s entertainment, featuring swinging blues, R&B and boogie-woogie of the Deanna Bogart Band.

And for those looking to bask in the last glow of the September sun, pack your bags and head down to Ocean City for Sunfest 2009, going on Thursday through Sunday. The town’s most popular annual festival takes place at the Inlet parking lot, and features entertainment by nationally recognized acts such as Little Big Town and Rick Springfield, arts and crafts, food and the famed Adeler Jeweler’s Treasure Hunt.

For more information on events around the state this fall, contact the Maryland Office of Tourism Development at 1-800-MDISFUN or visit their website at www.visitmaryland.org.

Enjoy your Maryland weekend! Next Up-date on Friday!

Read more about why leaves change color

Photo of Crepe Myrtle, courtesy of the National Arboretum.