{"id":24806,"date":"2018-10-18T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T12:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=24806"},"modified":"2018-10-21T07:51:01","modified_gmt":"2018-10-21T11:51:01","slug":"fall-foliage-and-festival-report-oct-20-21-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2018\/10\/18\/fall-foliage-and-festival-report-oct-20-21-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Foliage and Festival Report: Oct. 20-21, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fall<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report<\/a> for the weekend of Oct. 20 and 21, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Hickory

Hickory tree in Swanton<\/p><\/div>\n

Overall in Garrett County, fall color remains pretty disappointing, according to Melissa Nash, Garrett County forester, \u201cThere are a few individual maples with some color, and we are seeing muted yellows in hickories and yellow poplar. Oaks have not started to change much yet. It\u2019s not our typical fall.\u201d She noted that white pine are currently casting their oldest inner-most needles, which are also turning a golden color before dropping, a normal, but more noticeable occurrence this year due to the lack of vibrant colors. \u201cAlthough most of our conifers in Maryland are evergreen, they do shed their oldest needles,\u201d Nash explains.<\/p>\n

\"Fair

Fair Hill<\/p><\/div>\n

Green and brown dominate across Western Maryland, from Garrett to Frederick County.\u201cThe pockets of autumn color have mostly fallen with the passing cold fronts and rain. The overstory is beginning to change, but throughout Washington County it appears the oaks are browning and the leaves are falling partially green. I am not sure we will have a big swath of color on the ridges in unison this fall,\u201d Aaron Cook, state forester in Clear Spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur leaves here in northern Baltimore County are just on the cusp of changing; I feel like the colors will start popping this weekend, with the cool and dry weather we’re finally beginning to experience,\u201d writes Andrea Townsley-Sapp, Gunpowder Falls State Park<\/a> ranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

“Dogwoods, tupelo, and some maples are turning nicely red, most of the others are still green or are bare,” reports Seasonal Ranger Park Lindsey Hughes from Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area<\/a> in Cecil County. Park Naturalist Laura Fawks Lapole writes, “The leaves in Elk Neck State Park<\/a> are only just beginning to change. It seems that about there is about an 8 percent color change. Mainly the sweet gum, hickory and tulip popular are what is\u00a0turning at this point in time.”<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Maryland is celebrating the season with Halloween events and crafts, historical drama, an American Indian Pow-wow, harvest and seafood festivals, and moonlight hikes.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Civil

Reenactors at Gathland State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

In Western Maryland at Gathland State Park<\/a> this weekend Twilight\u2019s Last Gleaming<\/a> will explore the significance of Crampton\u2019s and Brownsville gaps during the Battle of South Mountain and the important role artillery played in the defense of the mountain during the Civil War, complete with cannon firing demonstrations.<\/p>\n

On Saturday evening step back in time at Cunningham Falls State Park<\/a> in Frederick County. Spirits of the Furnace<\/a> is a guided tour through an historic village with a seasonal twist. Reservations and tickets required.<\/p>\n

On the Eastern Shore the Martinak Fall Festival<\/a> in Martinak State Park<\/a> is a very popular free family event, kicking off at noon Saturday. Enjoy apple butter and children\u2019s activities. Entertainment includes Driven Women, Square Dancing and the Choptank River Big Band.\u00a0In nearby Denton,\u00a0Scarecrow Wizardry<\/a> invites you to bring a pair of pantyhose, a long sleeve shirt and long pants. They will supply the straw, string and decorations to help your scarecrow come to life.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Green Ridge in the Fall by Greg Conderacci<\/p><\/div>\n

Tilghman Island Day<\/a> on Saturday is an annual favorite featuring arts and nautical crafts, boat building demonstrations, oyster shucking, crab picking and a look at the life of a waterman. Tilghman Island in Talbot County is a working waterman’s village.<\/p>\n

Central Maryland is popping with many seasonal and annual events. This weekend, the Fair Hill International<\/a>, one of the most prestigious international three-day equestrian events in the world, will be held at the\u00a0Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area<\/a>\u00a0in beautiful Fair Hill, Maryland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Celebrate Native American Indian culture and heritage with live traditional music, dancing, storytelling, archery, exhibits and crafts Saturday at the American Indian Festival<\/a> at Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro.\u00a0Free admission.<\/p>\n

\"Heritage

Heritage Harvest Festival<\/p><\/div>\n

On Saturday afternoon at locations throughout the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve be a part of the Heritage Harvest Festival<\/a>. Visit a variety of farms with fun family activities including farm tours, markets, craft projects for kids, farm animals, historic structures and food for sale. Free admission.<\/p>\n

The Howard County Conservancy invites you to Hike to Patapsco River<\/a> on Saturday. This moderate to strenuous 4.5-mile hike will last up to 2\u00bd hours and take you through the forest to one of the most scenic areas of Patapsco Valley State Park<\/a>. Register in advance.<\/p>\n

Come explore the books, crafts, specimens and more at Patuxent River State Park<\/a>\u2019s Nature Nook<\/a> with a knowledgeable naturalist. Come with questions and a desire to learn Saturday. The park is located in both Montgomery and Howard counties.<\/p>\n

In Montgomery County, Seneca Creek State Park<\/a> is serving up a several family events. Spend some time in the great outdoors learning about the natural world. Meet a Volunteer Ranger Sunday for Nature Crafts<\/a>.\u00a0Then stick around for a fun Halloween Cookie Craft<\/a>. We supply cookies, icing and “batty” decorations. You might also enjoy a Reptile Encounter<\/a>, a 30-45 minute program for all ages. Meet a living snake or turtle and examine shells and skins from reptiles living in the park!\u00a0 Or, spend an hour on a Trail Trash Pick-up<\/a>\u00a0along the Seneca Greenway trail. Be sure to bring water and comfortable shoes for walking.<\/p>\n

Fairy Tales to Scary Trails<\/a>\u00a0Saturday is a family-friendly Halloween event sponsored by the Friends of Jerusalem Mill<\/a>, an historic area of Gunpowder Falls State Park<\/a> in Kingsville. See some favorite fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, Snow White and her evil stepmother, Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent and her goons, Mag the Fairy Queen, Three Billy Goats Gruff and more. Bring a canned food item for the local food pantry and have your fortune told.<\/p>\n

\"Trick

Trick or Treat on the Square<\/p><\/div>\n

Hear ghostly tales of local lore on a Haunted History Hike<\/a> at the Soldier\u2019s Delight Natural Environment Area<\/a>\u00a0Saturday evening. See some of the night hunters that travel by wing that may have been the inspiration for some of the world’s ghosts. Reservations are encouraged.\u00a0Good Morning Groundhog<\/a> is a Sunday morning event for children, ages 0 to 4, and their caregivers. Join your little explorer for an interactive program at the Soldier\u2019s Delight Visitor Center in Owings Mills. Activities will include music and movement songs, a short hike as well as a craft to do together.<\/p>\n

At the top of Chesapeake Bay in Harford County Susquehanna State Park<\/a> is hosting a Star Gazing evening<\/a>\u00a0Saturday. Take a step off the beaten path and enjoy the wonders of the autumn sky: planets, constellations and shooting stars.<\/p>\n

In Cecil County, Turkey Point by Moon Light<\/a>, is a two-mile round-trip hike from Elk Neck State Park<\/a> to the Turkey Point Lighthouse, marking \u00a0\u201cInternational Observe the Moon Night.\u201d \u00a0Reservations required!<\/p>\n

On Saturday at the Bowie Town Center, Concerts for Causes Inc. presents\u00a0Prince George\u2019s Fall Fest\u00a02018<\/a>, a food, wine and music event not to be missed. Concerts for Causes raises funds to give musical instruments to students in underserved communities. This is a free event!<\/p>\n

Not to be outdone, Southern Maryland is serving up oysters and Trick-or-Treat on the Square<\/a>.\u00a0 Celebrate the opening of oyster season on Chesapeake Bay this weekend and take part in one of the oldest and most popular oyster festivals in the U.S. the annual U.S. Oyster Festival<\/a> featuring the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championships and National Oyster Cook-Off at the St. Mary\u2019s Fairground in Leonardtown. On Saturday afternoon come in costume and bring your costumed pet for Trick-or-Treating at local businesses in downtown Historic Leonardtown. Free.<\/p>\n

\n

If you\u2019re planning a get-away to this weekend or next, please keep in mind that state park cabins and campsites are still available for the fall season. You can reserve one for a fantastic autumn weekend by calling 888-432-CAMP (2267) or\u00a0parkreservations.maryland.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information or to see a full listing of\u00a0Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a>\u00a0events, meetings and programs, please check out our\u00a0online calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Enjoy your weekend, Maryland! And as always, if you would like to share photos of your autumn adventures with us,\u00a0please send them<\/a>\u00a0our way.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cListen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2015 Humbert Wolfe<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
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