Enjoy the spirit and spirits of October in Maryland October is a month for spirited celebration in Maryland. Consider Oktoberfest events during the first weeks of the month, Halloween festivities at the end.
BigTravelNews.info - Oct 05,2010 - October is a month for spirited celebration in Maryland. Consider Oktoberfest events during the first weeks of the month, Halloween festivities at the end. Add in wine, microbrewery and seasonal festivals, and you have a month that is brimming with spirit and spirits.
“Autumn ushers in a resurgence of spirit – a time to enjoy outdoor festivals and activities that are especially invigorating as the magnificent colors of fall foliage appear,” said Margot Amelia, executive director of the tourism office. “You can feel Maryland's spirit throughout our diverse landscape as you enjoy an assortment of popular yearly events.”
“After selecting an event to attend, travelers can then use the new interactive tourism map on our web site – VisitMaryland.org – to identify some of Maryland's treasured attractions and destinations that are located near the event,” she adds.
Here is a spirited sampling of what visitors can find in Maryland during October:
Oktoberfest and Maryland microbrewery events
* Frederick Oktoberfest, Oct. 2-3, Frederick County Fairgrounds, Frederick
* Oktoberfest and Folk Festival, Oct. 2-3, Charles County Fairgrounds, LaPlata
* Maryland Brewers' Oktoberfest, Oct. 9, Baltimore County Fairgrounds, Timonium
* Ocean City Oktoberfest, Oct. 8-10 at Ocean City Convention Center, Worcester County
* Gaithersburg Oktoberfest at the Kentlands, Oct. 10, Montgomery County
* Trapp-toberFEST, Oct. 16, Trappe, Talbot County
Ghostly fun for families
* Halloween Haunted Hayride, Oct. 22-23, Adkins Arboretum, Queen Anne's County
* Haunted Tales Candlelight Walking Tours through Denton, Oct. 22-23, 29-30, Caroline County
* Haunted Campground, Oct. 29-30, Rocky Gap State Park, Allegany County
* ZooBOOO!, Oct. 29-31, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Ghost tours
* Ghost Tours, weekends, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
* Ghosts of Sotterley Tours, Oct. 14-16, Hollywood, St. Mary's County
* Ghost Walks in Historic Savage Mill, Oct. 29-30, Savage, Howard County
* Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tour, Ellicott City, Howard County (through November, Friday and Saturday)
Wine festivals
* Wine Fest on the Beach, Oct. 2-3, Ocean City, Worcester County
* Riverside WineFest at Sotterley, Oct. 2-3, Hollywood, St. Mary‘s County
* Autumn WineFest, every Sunday in October, Boordy Vineyards, Hydes, Baltimore County
* Autumn Wine Festival, Oct. 16-17, Pemberton Historical Park, Salisbury, Wicomico County
* Vintage Jazz Wine Festival, Oct. 16-17, Berrywine Plantations/Linganore Winecellars, Mt. Airy, Frederick County
To call attention to this array of events, the state's Office of Tourism has designated October as a time to enjoy the spirit of the new fall season, making it the theme of its Maryland Spotlight campaign – a monthly promotion that highlights distinctive aspects of tourism in the state.
In September, the tourism office highlighted opportunities for outdoor adventure in Maryland. Previous themes have focused on: buying local; prominent gardens; bed and breakfasts; Maryland's Main Streets; Chesapeake Bay art; hiking and biking trails; and Maryland wine.
To receive free Maryland travel information - Destination Maryland, Maryland Calendar of Events and a state highway map - by mail, call 800-719-5900. Information can also be found on the Tourism Office's web site, VisitMaryland.org
