For those looking to take a drive, the annual Autumn Glory
Festival in Oakland will be running from Oct. 7-11. Usually
featuring antique and craft shows, band competitions, concerts
and parades, the event has not yet announced if some of these
activities will be postponed or restructured. (oaklandmd.com)
What about festivals?
Oakland is not the only place opening its doors. Fall has always
been festival season—and DMV families who love these outdoor
events can still ready their calendars despite these crazy times.

Many events are happening, albeit with social distancing and
mask requirements.

Leesburg’s Pumpkin Village 2020 is one such event. Dig out
the carving knives, but let the kids know there are no moon
bounces or indoor play areas this year. Scavenger hunts replace
the wagon rides, but there is still live music on the weekends.

The event takes place Sept. 21-Nov. 1 at Leesburg Animal Park.

(pumpkinfestleesburg.com) And here’s another one, but just for parents. Mount Vernon’s
Fall Wine and Sunset Tours takes place Oct. 9-11. This is one
of the DMV’s longest-running events for oenophiles, and it
features offerings from more than 20 Virginia wineries. Sip
something special and take in the views of the Potomac River
with your someone special. (mountvernon.org)
Finally, Cox Farms has been keeping us motivated throughout
the pandemic with its clever signs. If you don’t follow the farm
on social media, put that on today’s to-do list and appreciate
the timely messages. The farm remained closed through the
summer and is not hosting its fall festival. But it offers a fall
drive-thru market from Sept. 25-Nov. 2. that promises to be way
cooler than any fast food line; it might be one of the few drive-
thrus that offers cider doughnuts. Get the kids road trip ready,
order some doughnuts and then hit the road in search of fall
foliage. (coxfarms.com)
Hike, bike ... and glamp
While events are less frequent, there are plenty of things to
do this the fall beside watching every show on Netflix and
ordering too many items off Amazon. “We’ve seen a huge spike
in outdoor recreation,” says Matthew Scales, public relations
specialist for the Maryland Department of Commerce Office
of Tourism.

Highlighting Maryland’s outdoor collection, Scales notes
many have made their way to the numerous hiking and biking
trails in the state, including the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail,
the Great Allegheny Passage, Patapsco Valley State Park and the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Along the
canal, people can even stay overnight at several lockhouses on the
path. “It is cool during the fall because of the foliage,” he says.

For those who still want to isolate but get away from their
homes, glamping is a great option. There is no roughing it at
Savage River Lodge. Surrounded by 700 acres of state forest
lands in Frostburg, the getaway features two-story luxury cabins
and large round tents known as yurts, which are popular in the
west coast region.

“We have been set up for social distancing since we opened in
1999,” says Elizabeth Williams, marketing manager. “The yurts
only accommodate two people so it is great for romantic getaways
or just get-out-of-town getaways, which is what we have been
seeing a lot of this summer. It’s just a blend between having your
own space and privacy while not having to trek too far away.”
But be prepared. There is cell service but no Wi-Fi or
televisions. “It encourages people to unplug and disconnect
from everything that is happening in the world on a normal time
and especially now,” Williams says.

With private accommodations including bathrooms with
running water, guests don’t have to share elevators, hallways
and other common areas like a hotel. “It is definitely proving
to be a really great best of both worlds location,” she says. As
of late July, their onsite dining and bar was only open to onsite
guests for carry out only.

Reservations are quite popular in the fall with peak
foliage ranging from late September to mid-October. And if
adventure is calling, the property hosts 14 miles of trails for
hiking—perfect for sunny days. “That is definitely a big plus,”
Williams says. “The weather is really conducive for outdoor
recreation in the fall.” n
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