“Hello, Frederick“ is published annually by The Frederick News-Post. It is distributed free inside the paper and to locations throughout and surrounding Frederick County. We are sure you will find some “fun” things to do in the 2025 edition of Hello, Frederick. Enjoy!
ON THE COVER
Gui Nelessen competes in the championship portion of the 2024 Clustered Spires National High Wheel Race in downtown Frederick. Nelessen was the overall top finisher.
PHOTO BY GRAHAM CULLEN
Absolutely Exceptional Experiences
EDITOR ANDY SCHOTZ
DESIGN SAMANTHA BANGH
PUBLISHER GEORDIE WILSON
REVENUE DIRECTOR CONNIE HASTINGS
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR BRITTNEY HAMILTON
SALES SUPPORT NOELLE HALLMAN
1 CREAMERIES
Nothing tastes better on a hot day than ice cream. And ice cream is as good as it gets at Frederick’s local creameries, where it’s made from cows on local farms. Rocky Point Creamery in the Tuscarora area uses milk from its 175 cows to make ice cream right in the creamery. South Mountain Creamery near Middletown has 500 cows on the Sowers and Brusco family farm that are milked to make ice cream. Beyond those two locations, keep an eye out for the Creamery truck. Glamourview, which has a farm near Walkersville, serves ice cream at various events.
FAVORITE ANIMAL AT CATOCTIN WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Animals from Africa, Latin and South America, Madagascar, Eurasia, Australia and other parts of the world can be found at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. There are numerous opportunities for guests to get up close with animals. Take a safari ride past zebras and ostriches, feed fish at the Japanese koi pond, pet goats or talk to one of the parrots. Food and drink options for humans are limited, so bring a cooler and snack at picnic tables in the shade. The preserve typically opens for the season in March, depending on the weather. Visit catoctinwildlifepreserve.com to stay up to date on hours. Single-day admission costs $18.50 for children ages 3 to 12 and adult tickets cost $27.50. There are discounts for senior citizens and members of the military. VISIT YOUR
MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
In late winter, Maryland park rangers and a sizable crowd at Cunningham Falls State Park gather around a massive cast-iron pot over a wood-fire flame to boil maple tree sap until it becomes the viscous syrup poured over pancakes and waffles. The park’s annual Maple Syrup Festival features live music, demonstrations of simmering sap to syrup, and treats drizzled with maple syrup.
3 TOUR THE CLUSTERED SPIRES 5
VISIT AN AREA CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
Frederick County has rich Civil War history, with several battles fought in and around the county. Monocacy National Battlefield was the site of “the battle that saved Washington, D.C.” The battlefield has tours and events. Antietam, Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry, the site of other battles, are within a short drive. For another angle on history, visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in downtown Frederick.
Visit the many historic places of worship that give Frederick its moniker “The City of Clustered Spires.” From the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church to Trinity Chapel, All Saint’s Episcopal Church and even City Hall, Frederick’s downtown has a high concentration of historic spires. City regulations help keep new buildings from replacing the historic structures’ places in the city skyline. On December 26, several of the churches will open their doors with special programs, choirs and nativity scenes. Stop by the Downtown Frederick Partnership information center at 19 E. Church Street for a map of participating churches on December 26.
FILE PHOTO
A civil war cannon with a light coating of snow and ice at Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
The clock on the spire of Trinity Chapel United Church of Christ in downtown Frederick.
6 7
Sample new fares during Frederick Restaurant Week
So many flavors, so little time. Restaurants create special multi-course menus and prices during the two-week event. Go to https://tinyurl.com/frederickrestaurantweek to see which restaurants are participating.
VISIT A WINERY
Frederick County is home to more than a dozen wineries. Take in the scenic views at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard near Thurmont, which features food trucks and live music on the weekends. In Middletown, guests can taste the boozy effects of honey and grapes at Orchid Cellar Meadery & Winery. For those in the Frederick area, Hidden Hills Farm & Vineyard offers a wine drinking experience on the grounds of a 100-acre horse farm. The family behind Loew Vineyards in Mount Airy has roots in winemaking dating to the mid-1800s. To experience the full bounty of the county, try embarking on the self-guided Frederick Wine Trail.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar featured various items for Restaurant Week in downtown Frederick
HIGH WHEEL RACE
Penny farthing bicycle racing in Frederick is the wheel deal. With their large front wheel and small rear wheel, these bicycles are memorable. The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race held each summer in downtown Frederick bills itself as the only race of its kind in America. Watch racers, often wearing period clothing, pedal furiously as they navigate a 0.4-mile loop – first in qualifying heats, then in the final race. Sidewalks around the perimeter of the race course are lined with fans hollering and cheering on the competitors, who come to Frederick from as far as Europe. The 2025 event is July 12.
CHEER AT A BASKETBALL GAME
Frederick has a professional basketball team, The Frederick Flying Cows, who are in The Basketball League. They play at Woodsboro Bank Arena on the Hood College campus. The Flying Cows debuted on March 2, 2024, against the Reading Rebels with a thrilling 113-112 come-from-behind victory, showcasing the electrifying plays and the passionate fanbase. The Cows placed first in the eight-team Atlantic Northeast division and finished their season with a final record of 20-6. The 2025 season started at the end of February. The Cows reeled off 17 straight wins to start the season before losing their first game. The Flying Cows are dedicated to providing fun, affordable entertainment for all ages. For more information, visit goflyingcows.com.
PHOTOS BY GRAHAM CULLEN
Race participants assemble in a “penny stack” prior to the 2024 high wheel race final.
Climb, swing, and ZIP through the trees on 16 different highropes courses with 8 difficulty levels
$20 OFF TICKETS with code: FNP20
YOUR FUTURE IS
WORTH THE WORK.
At HOOD COLLEGE , we believe every next step, breakthrough and challenge is worth the work. With more than 50 undergraduate and graduate majors, our diverse academic programming aligns with the needs of tomorrow and connects you with the industries that matter most. Our class sizes are small by design, so you can receive individual support from faculty experts. And you’ll have access to countless internships and research opportunities at top-level companies. Plan your personalized campus visit today.
The Great TAKE IN A FREDERICK KEYS BASEBALL GAME
Take your family out to a Frederick Keys ballgame while in the city. The city’s local baseball team is a part of the MLB Draft League, offering a chance to see young talent prove why they should go to the major leagues. At Harry Grove Stadium, watch for giveaways or dress up for the latest theme, such as Star Wars. If you’re not watching the game, buy food, drinks and Keys merchandise. A Keys game is a good place for kids, with plenty of activities and game interaction. A stadium renovation project is underway, in hopes of bringing back a team affiliated with a Major League Baseball team. The home schedule runs June through September. Buy tickets at mlbdraftleague.com/frederick.
11 FREDERICK FAIR
The fair is a go-to place for food, rides, animals, music, hundreds of vendors and so much more. This year’s Great Frederick Fair will run Sept. 12 to 20. Entrants of all ages compete in categories that show off crops and animals they raise, as well as their art, crafts and skills in many miscellaneous categories. Reithoffer Shows runs the carnival rides. There are various individual and group promotions throughout the fair for discount prices for rides. The excitement ramps up for musical acts and on demolition derby and truck/tractor pull nights. Go to thegreatfrederickfair.com for more details.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Attendees watch a Frederick Keys game against the West Virginia Black Bears at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
PHOTO BY RIC DUGAN
From left, Nathan Bitsko, Natalie Crisostomo, Daniela Martinez and Owen Bitsko take a ride on the Tornado at The Great Frederick Fair.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Trinity Smith, 12, with Breeze outside of the outdoor equine area.
WATCH A FLYING DEMO AT THE AIRPORT’S FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT
See planes in flight at Frederick Municipal Airport and learn about the aviation industry on Sept. 27 in the third annual Festival of Flight. The free event, lasting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include live flight demonstrations from aircraft, both human-piloted and radio controlled. Confirmed aircraft present at the festival so far include a state police helicopter and several World War II-era planes. Attendees can also learn about how to get started on learning to fly, see historic aircraft, and learn more about drone flight regulations. Food trucks and vendors will also be present. For more information and the schedule of events, go to cityoffrederickmd.gov/1698/Frederick-Festivalof-Flight.
FOOD ON WHEELS
Support local businesses on wheels with Mondays in Mount Airy. This year, the weekly food truck event will be held every Monday at the Railyard from 4 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 30. The menu changes each week, so be sure to check the Mondays in Mount Airy page on Facebook for updates. While you’re in town, take a stroll down Mount Airy’s historic Main Street — notable landmarks include the Flat Iron building and the Mount Airy Caboose.
A LIBRARY
There is always something on the calendar at Frederick County Public Libraries, whether you’re a history enthusiast, a curious learner or an art lover. The libraries host events for anyone, child or adult, with any interest. There are nine public libraries across the county, and each hosts their own free events, ranging from dance lessons and yoga classes to educational lectures on various skills or the history on specific topics. A full calendar of events can be viewed at frederick.librarycalendar.com/events/month.
COURTESY PHOTO
15 GOAT YOGA CULTURAL IMMERSION 17
Have you ever wanted to learn yoga poses alongside loud, bleating, four-legged classmates? Goat yoga, which is put on by Goat for the Soul Yoga, gives yoga students the opportunity to stretch and be mindful while cuddling up with furry friends. It’s a mix of animal therapy and a yoga class. Just keep them away from any hoodie strings. More information is available at goatforthesoul.com/events.
LOOK FOR GHOSTS
If you’re walking around in Frederick at night and feel a tap on your shoulder, but find no one there, it might have been a ghost. In Frederick, dubbed Maryland’s most haunted city, you can tour all of the haunted places in the city itself or the graves, crypts and monuments in Mount Olivet Cemetery. You can also face the paranormal in a group tour if you need others around you. Tickets for children age 10 through 15 are $12, and adult tickets are $17. Buy tickets online and see dates at marylandghosttours.com.
Embrace the diversity of Frederick County by attending one of its recurring cultural festivals. The Asian American Center of Frederick organizes Asia on the Creek each May to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In October, Centro Hispano de Frederick puts on a Hispanic Heritage Festival. Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church opens its doors each spring for a multi-day Greek Festival, as well as throughout the year for Gyro and Pastry Days. A newer tradition, the annual Black Frederick Festival, started in 2023 as a partnership between Nigerians in Frederick and local African American community groups. Each festival features traditional food, music, dance and other art forms from around the world.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Dee Gaddy-Goodwin sits on a yoga mat with a goat for goat yoga during the first Fall Fest in Everedy Square and Shab Row.
PHOTO BY GRAHAM CULLEN
Parissa Shabbir, left, and Raisa Fahreen, perform a dance as part of the Asia on the Creek event.
18 GO TO A TRIVIA NIGHT
Assemble a team and go to one of many nightly trivia competitions hosted at bars, breweries, pour houses and restaurants across Frederick County. Pour House Trivia offers evening competitions at various venues most days of the week at locations across the county. Teams can win nightly prizes that differ from venue to venue. Pour House has hosted a world series of the best regional trivia teams every year at Canon Events in Brunswick. BPtrivia also offers trivia nights at several bars and restaurants in Frederick. To find the schedule of Pour House Trivia, go to pourhousetrivia.com/schedule-and-standings. For BPtrivia’s schedule, go to bptrivia.com/live.
GO TO ONE OF FREDERICK’S
OKTOBERFESTS
With a strong German heritage, Frederick knows how to do Oktoberfest. The city is home to multiple celebrations, at the Great Frederick Fairgrounds and at the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum. The Fairgrounds event, held this year on Sept. 26 and 27, offers free admission to anyone wearing an authentic dirndl or lederhosen, and offers tents serving such German staples as bratwurst, strudel, pretzels, and schnitzel. The Schifferstadt event is hosted at one of Frederick’s most historic buildings, and features a German band, as well as German culinary favorites. The stone house, built in 1758 by Elias Brunner on the site of his parents’ log cabin, is named after the family’s home village in Germany. Go to frederickoktoberfest.org.
20 21 22
TAKE IN THE
BOAT LIGHTS ON CARROLL CREEK
When the temperature drops, be sure to wander down to Carroll Creek after dark to experience a nautical light show. From November through March, the nonprofit Color on the Creek sets sailboats adrift in the channel that winds through downtown Frederick. Local businesses design and sponsor the boats, which turn into elaborate light installations after sunset. Vote on your favorite by donating to the affiliated local charity — each dollar donated is one vote. Read more at coloronthecreek.com.
VENTURE TO DOWNTOWN FREDERICK FOR IN THE STREETS
When Market Street closes to vehicle traffic one day each fall, from All Saints to 7th, the downtown belongs to those on foot. The city of Frederick estimates that more than 75,000 people turn out for In the Streets, which is scheduled for Sept. 13 this year. The day has a fast start with multiple heats of the Market Street Mile for men, women, youths and families. Watch for blocks with different themes, including sports, art, history, and health and wellness. Live music will be performed on four stages. Go to celebratefrederick. com/events/in-the-street.
STAY WARM AT FIRE IN ICE
On the first Saturday of every month, special events bring visitors to downtown Frederick. One of the biggest First Saturday events each year is February’s Fire in Ice festival, attracting thousands of visitors in a typical year. Each year, downtown businesses display custom-made ice sculptures and stay open for extended hours to accommodate crowds that fill the streets. Along with the statues, there are fire pits and s’mores stations, fire dancers, and other events featuring dazzling flames to sparkle among the reflections of the ice.
PHOTO BY RIC DUGAN
Among Frederick’s most popular wintertime attractions, Sailing Through the Winter Solstice features lighted boats in Carroll Creek downtown.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
A scene from Market Street during the In The Streets Festival in downtown Frederick.
PHOTO BY GRAHAM CULLEN
A pyro dancer spins fire-covered wands as a large crowd enjoyed a show in the Carroll Creek Amphitheater during the Fire in Ice festival.
23 24 25
BRUNSWICK’S RAILROAD DAYS
During the first full weekend of October, enjoy Brunswick’s Railroad Days. Brunswick is one of the hubs of the B&O Railroad, which has past and current connections to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Under rain or shine, you can enjoy the festival throughout the city, with food, drink, music, entertainment, crafts, vendors and more. Peruse train-themed exhibits and buy tickets for a train ride to Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia. More information can be found as the event gets closer at brunswickrailroad days.org.
CYCLE ACROSS THE COUNTY GO FISHING
Explore the city and the county from the seat of a bicycle. Tour the historic downtown or ride along Carroll Creek through several parks in Frederick. Get great views by mountain biking through Gambrill State Park Trek across nature at the Frederick Watershed. Bike along Frederick County’s portion of the 184.5-mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath. The path runs alongside the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which runs along the Potomac River from Cumberland to Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Peruse bike shops in Frederick like cafe and bike store Gravel & Grind or refurbished bike shop ReCycles Bikes.
Frederick County is stocked with freshwater fishing hotspots. In the northern part of the county, Big Hunting Creek and Owens Creek are ideal locations to catch both wild and hatchery trout, while Cunningham Falls Reservoir is home to both largemouth bass and a variety of panfish. Farther south, a variety of fish including smallmouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish can be found in the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers. Each body of water has several points of access on public lands. Before venturing out, consult the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to see if any special regulations apply and to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. The Potomac Valley Fly Fishers Club offers advice and suggestions. Its website is http://pvff.club.
PHOTO BY RIC DUGAN
Replica of the Point of Rocks train station, part of Railroad Days at the Heritage Museum in Brunswick.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
A bicyclist rides by a field on Buckeystown Pike in Adamstown.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ Hunter Royal, 12, of Woodsboro, fishes in Carroll Creek at Baker Park. He fishes around Frederick County after moving to Maryland a few years ago.
PICK FRUIT FROM AN ORCHARD
The rich agricultural heritage of rural Frederick County provides plenty of opportunities for visiting farms and orchards to find fresh fruits and produce. From cherries and blueberries in the early summer to peaches, apples, and pears in the late summer, visitors can find a wide variety of fruit either picked on their own or bought at the fruit stand. Favorites such as Catoctin Mountain Orchard or Pryor’s Orchard, both in the Thurmont area, can satisfy anyone’s search for the perfect piece of fruit. Or, customers can sample the products of various Frederick County farms and orchards by visiting McCutcheon’s Apple Products in downtown Frederick, for a wide variety of jellies, preserves, honey, hot sauces, cider, and other products.
VISIT A HISTORIC SITE
Where to begin? At the northern tier of the county, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton pays homage to the first American-born saint. Visit two homes where she lived and gaze upon the Altar of Relics in the Basilica, where her remains are buried. Then head south to Thurmont and step into the Catoctin Furnace living history village, which tells the stories of free and enslaved people, ironworkers and European immigrant laborers. At the Barbara Fritchie House downtown, learn about a spirited citizen whose defiance of Confederate troops inspired an 1863 poem by John Greenleaf Whittier.
ENJOY MUSIC OUTDOORS
Enjoy a free outdoor music night in a historical outdoor setting: The Museum of Frederick County History on East Church Street hosts open-air concerts once a month from July to September in its Heritage Garden. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and plenty of snacks to support your listening experience. Artists booked for the 2025 Patio Music Series include ENSLOW, Jason Ager and Freddie Long. Local breweries and vineyards sell their own products during the event, but bring-your-own beverages are also allowed. To RSVP, visit www.cognitoforms.com/HeritageFrederick1/PatioMusicSeries2025.
RIDE THE RAILS WITH WALKERSVILLE SOUTHERN RAILROAD
Take in Monocacy Valley scenery in a new way – aboard a train. The Walkersville Southern has vintage 1920s passenger cars and an open flatcar. A dining car can seat 40, with a bar and a player piano. Meals are catered by the Carriage House Inn in Emmitsburg. Dinner trains run May to November. The trip, south from Walkersville, goes past a 100-year-old lime kiln that the Frederick County Parks Department restored and crosses the Monocacy River. The ticket office is in a turn-of-the-century railroad station built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1800s. A small tool house from the same period is next to the station. For more information, go to wsrr.org/ws.
Catch a show AT A DOWNTOWN THEATER
The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick began offering live theater in 1978, though its history extends back to 1926, when it was called the Tivoli. Orchestras, comedians, Broadway shows, dance, bands and more have graced its stage. Maryland Ensemble Theatre offers live performances plus ensemble classes for children and adults. There’s a summer camp, too.
30 SMALL-TOWN CELEBRATION
Held each September, the Middletown Heritage Festival celebrates the history of the small town in the heart of the Middletown Valley. After a parade down Main Street to kick the event off in the morning, the festival includes musical performances, historical displays and exhibits, and dozens of vendors. There’s also an annual book sale hosted by Friends of the Middletown Branch Library as a fundraiser for the group. The 2025 event is scheduled for Sept. 27.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
LEARN ABOUT EARTH AND SPACE
Documentaries about space and dinosaurs are shown in the Earth and Space Science Lab’s Ausherman Planetarium. Become immersed in the colors and surround sound. Later, visit the ESSL’s displays of tanks featuring insects, fish, reptiles and more. Showings at the planetarium run from June until August. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.
JAM OUT AT THE WOODSBORO DAYS FESTIVAL
If you’re in the mood for small-town charm, head to the town of Woodsboro, which holds a free annual music festival, Woodsboro Days, every October. The event lasts a weekend. There’s plenty of food to try from different trucks, as well as multiple yard sales. On the day of the actual festival, several artists perform live in Woodsboro Park. The festival is a fun, relaxing way to enjoy music and company.
PHOTOS BY KATINA ZENTZ
BOTTOM: From left, Carson Rempe, 3, Levi DeLizia, 4, Lucas DeLizia, 6, and Raylynn Rempe, 5, watch a show in the Ausherman Planetarium. TOP: Briar Cooley, 5, eyes a piranha in a fish tank.
CUPS OF COFFEE
VISIT MAIN STREET
Frederick County is home to five Maryland designated Main Street communities and one affiliate. During a visit to any of them — Downtown Frederick, New Market, Thurmont, Middletown, Brunswick and Emmitsburg — you will find a range of food, drink and entertainment options. Enjoy strolling around and taking in the historic architecture, brick buildings and other charms of these walkable areas.
With so many things to do in Frederick County, a jolt of caffeine can be a must. Luckily, Frederick County offers a lively mix of local coffee shops where customers can get their daily cup o’ joe. Whether as a morning pick-meup or a leisurely afternoon sip, visitors can have their pick of where to stop. Downtown Frederick has a variety of options, including Frederick Coffee Company, Gravel and Grind, and Ibiza Cafe. Outside the city, shops such as Brunswick’s Beans in the Belfry, Middletown’s Beans and Dreams, or Walkersville’s Whistle Stop Coffee offer plenty of options.
CATCH A SHOW ON THE CREEK WITH ALIVE @ FIVE
Downtown Frederick is known for its breweries, and from May through September, downtown’s Alive @ Five lets people sample some of the local product and get a jump on their weekends. Every Thursday evening, the outdoor happy hour along Carroll Creek features music, beer, and food from some of Frederick’s hottest restaurants and food trucks. Although rain is always a possibility, the events provide a fun way to get out into the summer sunshine and enjoy some of the best that downtown Frederick has to offer. Go to downtownfrederick. org/aliveatfive.
PHOTO BY GRAHAM CULLEN
CIRCLE: Geram Alsten pours steamed milk into espresso during the latte art portion of the Gravel & Grind Barista Throwdown competition.
FILE PHOTO
Scene from Alive @ Five in downtown Frederick.
BOOKBONANZA
Every Saturday in October, the pews in the headquarters of the South Mountain Heritage Society on East Main Street in Burkittsville are filled with hardbacks and paperbacks of every genre. From history to mysteries, the sale offers thousands of used books. It’s any book lover’s dream, with row upon row of titles to search through. The last Saturday offers the chance to really fill up your shelves, with books by the bag for $6.
GET TO THE GREEN
Frederick County is home to many fine, public golf courses. Your tee shot on the 18th hole at Whiskey Creek near Ijamsville will land around an abandoned stone farmhouse. Clustered Spires in Frederick hosts the Frederick County Public Schools championships. Maple Run in Thurmont served as the set for an episode of “The West Wing” and features an 11th, 12th and 13th hole that collectively form a version of Augusta’s famed Amen Corner. Glade Valley near Woodsboro features a creative layout, tricky winds to navigate and pretty views of nearby farmlands. Worthington Manor near Urbana has hosted qualifiers for USGA championships and poses a formidable test.
39
TOUR THE COUNTY’S COVERED BRIDGES
Take a 15-mile drive to see Frederick County’s three historical covered bridges. Utica Covered Bridge is the farthest south, moved to its current location on Utica Road in 1889. The original bridge, which crossed the Monocacy River, was washed away during a flood. Residents salvaged remains and moved them, then rebuilt the bridge to its current 101-foot-long glory. The Loy’s Station Bridge is on Old Frederick Road, south of Md. 77. It was built around 1880. The bridge was rebuilt after a fire in 1994. The wood shingles are signed by those who helped pay for the reconstruction. The third bridge, farthest north, is the Roddy Road Covered Bridge, built around 1956 just north of Thurmont and off U.S. 15. To plan a driving tour, go to visitfrederick.org/thingsto-do/tours/historic-covered-bridges-driving-tour.
40 BROWSE ART AT THE DELAPLAINE
If you’re in the mood to be inspired, head to the Delaplaine Arts Center to view of its current exhibitions, which rotate every few months. The Delaplaine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that showcases art, hosts hundreds of classes and workshops a year, and has one of the largest free art reference libraries in the state. The center has five main galleries showing local, regional and national artists, as well as two community art galleries. Check out what exhibitions the Delaplaine currently has on its website, www.delaplaine.org.
Roddy Road Covered Bridge, built around 1956 just north of Thurmont and off U.S. 15.
GO DUCKPIN BOWLING
Walkersville Bowling Center bills itself as “the last remaining duckpin bowling spot in Frederick County.” The duckpin style of bowling has smaller, lighter balls and smaller pins once described as “flying ducks,” for how much they move around when hit. There are bumper lanes for kids. Pay by the hour during “open bowling” periods. Go to walkersvillebowling.com.
CATCH A RODEO
Despite its agricultural heritage and background, Frederick County bears little resemblance to the Wild West. But visitors looking for bucking broncos and bull riding can have their fun, too. The J Bar W Ranch in Johnsville offers bull riding events June through September. The family-owned operation has more than 850 head of livestock.
CATCH A PERFORMANCE AT SKY STAGE
Enjoy music, drama and more under the stars at Sky Stage, an open-air public theater in downtown Frederick. The Revolutionary War-era building at 59 S. Carroll St. suffered a major fire in 2010, leaving it without a roof. For years, the structure sat empty, but now, you can catch programming there often. Check out open mic nights, performances by local artists, plays, or salsa and yoga classes.
VISIT THE MONOCACY AQUEDUCT
Get up close and personal with a civil engineering wonder by visiting the Monocacy Aqueduct, the largest of 11 aqueducts along the C&O Canal. Construction on the 516foot structure started in 1829 and was finished four years later. After the C&O Canal National Historical Park helped restore the aqueduct in 2005, visitors can view it in the state it was originally constructed. Learn more at nps.gov/choh/learn/history culture/themonocacyaqueduct.htm.
Every year, during the last weekend of June, walk outside to Carroll Creek to enjoy Frederick Pride, a huge annual celebration of the LGBTQ community to commemorate Pride Month. The sidewalks lining Carroll Creek are filled with rainbow flags, various small businesses and vendors, lively performances and upbeat music for thousands to enjoy. Shop at different booths, get information on local organizations and resources, grab a delicious meal or witness performers like drag queens right by the water. 46 SHOW YOUR PRIDE
GO FOR A SLIDE ON THE BIG WOODEN SLIDE
Built by volunteers in 1950, the Big Slide has delighted children big and small for more than 70 years. Zip down the 40-foothigh covered slide and land in a pile of sawdust. The free attraction is owned by Mount Tabor Lutheran and United Church of Christ in Rocky Ridge.
FILE PHOTO
Sky Stage located in downtown Frederick.
FILE PHOTO
The restored Catoctin Aqueduct on the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The aqueduct is near Point of Rocks.
PHOTO BY GRAHAM CULLEN
Jolene Saylor, of Walkersville, descends the wooden slide at Mount Tabor Park in Rocky Ridge.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Black-Eyed Suzy performs at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater during Frederick Pride.
MYERSVILLE’S MUSIC & TROLLEY FESTIVAL 47
Myersville is known for its trolleys — so much so that the town put a vintage trolley car from the Frederick & Middletown Railroad in its new library that opened in 2019. The trolley was rescued from Braddock Mountain by the late Don Easterday in the early 1990s and restored. For years, Easterday hosted the festival on his property to highlight the town’s trolley and railroad history. Then, it moved to Doub’s Meadow Park in Myersville. The festival usually happens each October, and is centered around trolley culture and music, mainly acoustic and bluegrass.
48 UNWIND AT ONE OF THE MANY
CRAFT BREWERIES
AND DISTILLERIES
Frederick is home to a vibrant and expanding craft brewery and distillery scene. Breweries and distilleries line parts of Carroll Creek and offer outdoor seating that is ideal for taking in a summer night downtown. The craft beverage scene along the creek is a short walk from the city’s restaurants. A number of the county’s breweries partner with food trucks to get a taste of the local flavor. The county’s more rural areas and farmlands are home to craft breweries that offer splendid mountain views and a breath of fresh air to go with your drink of choice. For a list of breweries, visit: visitfrederick. org/eat-and-drink/breweries and visit frederick.org/eat-and-drink/distilleries to find distilleries.
GO FOR A LONG, LONG RUN AT THE FREDERICK RUNNING FESTIVAL
It depends on your definition of “long.” During Frederick Running Festival Weekend, the twilight 5-kilometer run is held Saturday evening. The 13.1mile half-marathon race happens Sunday morning. People can join together for a two-person relay team for the half-marathon. Or they can take on the “nut job challenge,” which is the 5K on one day and the half-marathon the next. There’s also a kids fun run. The 2025 Frederick Running Festival was held May 3 and 4. For details, go to frederickrunfest.com.
TRY YOUR HAND AT DISC GOLF
If you know how to throw a flying disc and like to golf, a game of disc golf might be a perfect way to spend your afternoon. Disc golf is fun for the whole family. The object is get the disc in the basket in as few throws as possible. In Frederick, you can play at one of the many disc golf locations, such as Woodsboro Regional Park Disc Golf Course, the West Winds Disc Golf Course, and Middletown Park’s disc golf course. Take food and water with you, since many courses are out in the open or in parks.
GET LOST IN A CORN MAZE
Experience fall fun and the joy of puzzle-solving all at once. At Summers Farm in slide, try your hand at a maze that the owners claim stumps some visitors for hours. Themes change annually and feature a design that can only be seen from the sky.
WELCOME FALL DURING COLORFEST
Thurmont swells in size each year when tens of thousands of people spend the weekend there for Colorfest – a mix of food, hundreds of artisans, and other types of vendors. The activity and energy of the annual fall celebration consume the town and the surrounding area. It’s a boon for many community groups that hold fundraising food and drink sales during the two-day evening. (Watch for the apple dumplings.) The scenery of the Catoctin Mountain region is beautiful that time of year. This year, Catoctin Colorfest will be held Oct. 11 and 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get details at visitfrederick.org/catoctin-colorfest.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Annie Wheating of Longmont, Colo., crosses the finish line to win the women’s title at the 2025 Frederick Running Festival Half-Marathon. Wheating won the women’s title with a time of 1:18:46.
PHOTO BY KATINA ZENTZ
Leona Dempsey plays in a grain bin during the opening weekend of the Fall Fun Fest at Gaver Farm.
REGISTER TODAY
Fall classes start August 23, with new sessions beginning throughout the semester.
Frederick Community College (FCC) offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs that deliver the skills and training you need for the local jobs you want. Many career training options can be completed in less than a year.
• Earn credits toward a degree or transfer
• Save money with tuition that is half the cost of four-year schools
• Receive individualized support services to help you succeed
• Balance life, work, and school with class options designed to fit your lifestyle
• Prepare for a new career with training that’s quick to complete
Whether you’re just getting started, coming back, or transferring, FCC can help you reach your goals. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
FCC helped me save money while figuring out my career goals. I found my passion through the Veterinary Assistant program.
– Collin Bomysoad, FCC Student
Before enrolling at FCC, Collin attended Brunswick High School. Unsure of his career path but eager to continue his education, he chose FCC for its affordability and proximity. FCC proved to be the right choice, giving him a strong foundation as a veterinary assistant. Collin now plans to become a small animal veterinarian specializing in ophthalmology.
able to be guaranteed.
AR DANCE MUSIC
THE Y ARTS CENTER IS A CREATIVE VENUE OFFERING CLASSES FOR ALL AGES IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICK.
